The mechanism of what causes the development of BA remains unknown. However, BA patient livers show fibro-inflammatory blockage of bile ducts suggesting the involvement of inflammatory

and developmental pathways. Previous studies suggest that BA may result from overexpression of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, potential autoimmunity, or possible epigenetic changes in gene expression. We previously reported that fish carrying a mutation in the S-adenylhomocysteine hydrolase gene (ahcy) reproduce important aspects of BA including increased immune expression and liver degeneration. Using the ahcy zebrafish model, we investigated the role Hh overexpression and inflammation has in liver development. Livers from ahcy larvae show increased expression Selleckchem NVP-BGJ398 of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFal-pha). Injection of TNFalpha into 2 days post fertilization fish causes liver abnormalities including duct defects and steatosis. TNFalpha injected larvae also show increased expression of the Hh pathway. Supporting a causative role for Hh overex-pression, inhibition of Hh signaling by cyclopamine treatment rescues liver morphology and function in ahcy larvae. Furthermore, we show that treatment of larvae with the Hh pathway agonist,

purmorphamine, not only produces biliary defects, but also causes increased expression of the inflammatory pathway. Our results http://www.selleckchem.com/products/Bortezomib.html suggest a potential crosstalk between Hh signaling and inflammatory pathways may result in defects observed in biliary atresia patients. Disclosures: The following people have nothing to disclose: Zenobia Cofer, Shuang learn more Cui, Valerie Sapp, Randolph P. Matthews Purpose/Background: The progression of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is multifactorial, involving both

metabolic and immunological dysfunctions. MiR-122 has been shown to regulate essential functions in hepatic lipid metabolism, mitochondrial function, cell death pathways, fibrosis and carcinogenesis -major elements in ALD. While recent studies have demonstrated the therapeutic benefits of miR-122 inhibition in HCV infection, we have observed the reduction of miR-122 expression in the livers of alcohol-fed mice. Given the highly conserved role of this unique miRNA in hepatic homeostasis, we hypothesized that the loss of miR-122 contributes to ALD progression and may be a therapeutic target. In this study, our goals were twofold. First, we aimed to assess the effect of miR-122 inhibition on steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in ALD. Second, we sought to therapeutically restore miR-122 in the livers of alcohol-fed mice to alleviate liver injury. Methods: Wild-type 6-8 week old, female C57Bl/6 mice were injected intravenously with scAAV8 viral particles containing anti-miR-122 TuD (TuD), or scrambled vector (scr).