Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 19, 2026

An Oncogenic Hepatocyte-Induced Orthotopic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Cancer Arising in the Setting of Hepatic Inflammation and Fibrosis
06:38

An Oncogenic Hepatocyte-Induced Orthotopic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Cancer Arising in the Setting of Hepatic Inflammation and Fibrosis

Published on: September 12, 2019

9.6K

Tricking an ancient immune function to eradicate hepatocellular carcinoma

Toru Miyazaki1, Satoko Arai1

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Biomedicine for Pathogenesis; Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine; Faculty of Medicine; The University of Tokyo, and CREST; Japan Science and Technology Agency , Tokyo, Japan.

Molecular & Cellular Oncology
|June 17, 2016
PubMed

Insights

The circulating apoptosis inhibitor of macrophage (AIM) protein helps prevent fatty liver disease and liver cancer. AIM offers a potential new treatment for modern liver conditions linked to metabolic syndrome.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasingly linked to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  • Metabolic syndrome is a growing concern with significant hepatic implications.
  • Understanding protective mechanisms against liver disease progression is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of circulating apoptosis inhibitor of macrophage (AIM) in preventing liver steatosis and HCC.
  • To explore AIM as a potential therapeutic target for metabolic-associated liver diseases.

Main Methods:

  • The study focused on the functional roles of the AIM protein.
  • Investigated AIM's impact on liver steatosis and HCC development in relevant models.
  • Evaluated AIM's therapeutic potential in the context of metabolic syndrome.

Main Results:

  • AIM demonstrates distinct preventive effects against the development of liver steatosis.
  • AIM also shows a protective role in inhibiting hepatocellular carcinoma progression.
  • These findings highlight AIM's multifaceted function in liver health.

Conclusions:

  • The apoptosis inhibitor of macrophage (AIM) protein has significant preventive roles in liver steatosis and HCC.
  • AIM represents a promising therapeutic candidate for treating metabolic-associated liver diseases.
  • Targeting AIM could offer novel treatment strategies for prevalent hepatic conditions.
Keywords:
AIMHCCcomplementendocytosisliver steatosis

More Related Videos

Mass Cytometry Analysis of Systemic and Local Immune Responses in Hepatocellular Carcinoma08:25

Mass Cytometry Analysis of Systemic and Local Immune Responses in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Published on: April 25, 2025

908
Stem Cell-Derived Viral Ag-Specific T Lymphocytes Suppress HBV Replication in Mice07:25

Stem Cell-Derived Viral Ag-Specific T Lymphocytes Suppress HBV Replication in Mice

Published on: September 25, 2019

7.5K

Related Concept Videos

Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Overview
85.9K
Liver Regeneration01:24

Liver Regeneration

The liver is an important organ in vertebrates that plays an essential role in metabolism. It is also responsible for storing and redistributing nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins in the body. Additionally, the liver releases bile salts which are critical for digesting food and eliminating toxic metabolites from the body.
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are...
4.7K
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
7.8K
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
2.4K
Cells of the Innate Immune Response01:28

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
10.2K
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity01:26

Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity

An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and...
1.8K