EDINBURGH University scientists have made a breakthrough in the study of hard-to-treat liver diseases.
Thanks partly to donations of liver samples by Scottish patients, the researchers have been able to identify a key cell process that could cause damage to bile ducts and help explain some liver diseases.
The hope is that research into the process will lead to improved treatments and therapies in the future.
Experiments showed that triggering the process harms vital cells in bile ducts, while blocking the process reverses liver damage in mice.
The findings could help develop new treatments for bile duct diseases, which are linked to increased risk of cancers and liver failure, according to a statement from the group of researchers in the Medical Research Council (MRC) funded study.
The scientists involved were seeking to better understand how disease is caused in bile ducts.
Damage to the ducts – small channels running through the liver that help the body dispose of waste – can result in tissue scarring and liver failure.
The researchers examined liver tissue donated by patients with chronic bile duct disease and found evidence of a cell process known as senescence, which was not seen in healthy people.
Senescence – the process that takes place when aged cells no longer undergo natural division – has an important role in the normal function of the body.
The report states: “Despite a number of studies suggesting a potential link between senescence and biliary disease it has not been shown whether senescence is actually a driver of the damage rather than solely a consequence.”
The completed research does show that senescence also contributes to disease, preventing repair of damaged bile ducts caused by wear and tear, leading to liver failure.
Tests in mice found that inducing senescence in bile duct cells – mimicking the process seen in human bile duct disease – led to liver scarring and damage of liver function.
Blocking chemical messages sent out by cells during senescence restored liver function in mice, pointing towards new treatment targets.
The report published in the journal Nature Communications concludes: “Overall, we have shown that cellular senescence is likely to be a driver of biliary injury by affecting the microenvironment, impairing liver parenchyma (functional cells) regeneration and impairing biliary function.”
Professor Stuart Forbes, of Edinburgh University, said: “Bile duct disease has been poorly understood and this has severely hampered the development of effective treatment. This work takes meaningful steps towards understanding this debilitating disease, identifying a potential target for future therapies.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here