Mark A Kraus

Publications of Mark A Kraus

• Culture of omentum-induced regenerating liver yielded hepatocyte-committed stem cells.

  Authors: Nishit Pancholi, Jilpa Patel, Krishnamurthy P Gudehithlu, Mark A Kraus, George Dunea, Jose A L Arruda, Ashok K Singh

  Translational research : the journal of laboratory and clinical medicine. 12/2010; 156(6):358-68.

  Earlier we showed that when omentum, activated by inert particles, is allowed to fuse to a wedge cut in the liver, it induces stem cell proliferation in the liver resulting in massive liverEarlier we showed that when omentum, activated by inert particles, is allowed to fuse to a wedge cut in the liver, it induces stem cell proliferation in the liver resulting in massive liver regeneration. Here, we attempt to culture stem cells from the omentum-induced regenerating liver tissue. Cells from regenerating liver tissue were harvested and cultured. Cultured cells were characterized by immune staining, fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis, growth factor assay, in vitro differentiation, and their ability to engraft to injured sites in vivo. Culture yielded cells with a mesenchymal stem cell phenotype that could be maintained in culture indefinitely. These cells, called regenerating liver stem cells, expressed both adult and embryonic stem cell markers, secreted high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, and expressed albumin. When grown on matrigel in the presence of hepatocyte growth factor, these cells differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells in culture, but they did not differentiate to adipogenic and osteogenic lineages when grown in specific differentiation medium. The differentiated cells expressed α-fetoprotein and secreted high levels of albumin and urea. After systemic injection, the undifferentiated cells engrafted only to the injured sites in the liver and not to the normal areas of the liver. In conclusion, omentum-induced regenerating liver yields hepatocyte-committed stem cells in culture. Such cells could prove to be useful in cell transplantation therapies.

• Idiopathic hypocomplementemic immune-complex-mediated tubulointerstitial nephritis.

  Authors: Mohammad Vaseemuddin, Melvin M Schwartz, George Dunea, Mark A Kraus

  Nature clinical practice. Nephrology. 02/2007; 3(1):50-8.

  BACKGROUND: A 42-year-old man presenting with flank pain was found to have renal failure with severe hypocomplementemia and eosinophilia. INVESTIGATIONS: Physical examination, laboratory testing,BACKGROUND: A 42-year-old man presenting with flank pain was found to have renal failure with severe hypocomplementemia and eosinophilia. INVESTIGATIONS: Physical examination, laboratory testing, renal ultrasonography, and renal biopsies. DIAGNOSIS: Acute immune-complex-mediated tubulointerstitial nephritis. MANAGEMENT: Immunosuppressive therapy with 1 mg/kg/day prednisone.

• Quiz page. Acquired kidney disease (ACKD) with associated bilateral renal cell carcinoma.

  Authors: Mohammad Vaseemuddin, Mark A Kraus

  American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation. 11/2005; 46(4):A48, e47-9.