Abstract: Persistent inflammation is a driving force of fibrosis progression. Mucosal-Associated Invariant T (MAIT) cells are non-conventional T cells that display altered functions during chronic inflammatory diseases. Here, the inventors report a loss of circulating MAIT cells in cirrhotic patients and their hepatic accumulation in an activated phenotype within the fibrotic septa. Using two models of chronic liver injury, the inventors demonstrate that mice enriched in MAIT cells (V?19TCRTg) show exacerbated liver fibrosis and higher number of hepatic fibrogenic cells than wild type counterparts, whereas MAIT cell-deficient mice (MR1?/?mice) are resistant. The results highlight the profibrogenic functions of MAIT cells and suggest that 1 targeting MAIT cells may constitute an attractive antifibrogenic strategy during chronic liver injury.

Abstract: The invention provides for a medical apparatus (100, 200, 300) for treating cells of a subject comprising at least one transducer (102, 224) with a vibrating surface (116). The transducer further comprises an applicator (118, 600) for attaching the vibrating surface to an outer surface of the subject (108, 218). The transducer is operable to vibrate at a frequency between 10 Hz and 1000 Hz. The medical apparatus further comprises a controller (104, 222, 230) for controlling the vibration of the transducer. The controller is operable for causing the transducer to vibrate for greater than a predetermined period of time for treating the cells. The predetermined period of time is greater than one hour.

Abstract: The invention provides for a medical apparatus (100, 200, 300) for treating cells of a subject comprising at least one transducer (102, 224) with a vibrating surface (116). The transducer further comprises an applicator (118, 600) for attaching the vibrating surface to an outer surface of the subject (108, 218). The transducer is operable to vibrate at a frequency between 10 Hz and 1000 Hz. The medical apparatus further comprises a controller (104, 222, 230) for controlling the vibration of the transducer. The controller is operable for causing the transducer to vibrate for greater than a predetermined period of time for treating the cells. The predetermined period of time is greater than one hour.

Abstract: The present application relates to methods for determining the occurrence of a liver disease in a subject by particular polypeptides biomarkers, and to kits using such biomarkers.