Does hepatocyte survival depend on beta1-integrin-mediated attachment of hepatocytes to hepatic extracellular matrix?
Our findings indicate that embedding of hepatocytes within their normal liver ECM surroundings maintains their survival. When detached from their natural surrounding hepatocytes enter into apoptosis, unless treated with anti-beta1-integrin antibodies or RGD peptides. This knowledge will allow improvement of hepatocyte transplantation efficiency.
Investigators testing the efficacy of programs for preventing pregnancies among teen mothers and their nulliparous, younger sisters could minimize selection bias by prospectively targeting families in which the older sister became pregnant before she was 17 years old and the younger sister is 12 to 14 years old.