Summary of basic research on liver transplantation in China of 2023 / 器官移植

Liver transplantation is the optimal treatment for end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma, which can significantly improve clinical prognosis and quality of life of patients. However, multiple challenges, such as rejection, immune tolerance, shortage of donor liver, preservation of donor liver, ischemia-reperfusion injury and postoperative complications, <i>etc.</i>, limit the efficacy of liver transplantation in clinical practice. Research teams in China have made significant contributions to the basic research related to liver transplantation by making continuous efforts and combining the development of emerging technologies, interdisciplinary integration and other emerging fields. In this article, the frontier progress in the basic research of liver transplantation in 2023 was reviewed, highlighting the progress made by Chinese research teams in the basic research of liver transplantation, aiming to provide reference for promoting the integration of Chinese characteristics into the research of liver transplantation, accelerate the integration of Chinese liver transplantation research with international community, and promote further advancement of liver transplantation in China.

The relationship between the Wnt signaling pathway and liver regeneration and its role in liver diseases / 临床肝胆病杂志

The Wnt signaling pathway plays an important role in maintaining liver homeostasis and liver regeneration. In healthy livers， the Wnt signaling pathway is mostly inactive， but it is continuously overactivated during cell renewal or regeneration processes， as well as in certain pathological conditions， diseases， precancerous states， and cancers. Persistent liver cell injury often leads to chronic liver diseases such as liver fibrosis， liver cirrhosis， and liver cancer. This article summarizes the basic structural features of the Wnt signaling pathway and analyzes its important role in the pathological progression of various liver diseases， so as to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of liver diseases in clinical practice.

Effect of Fuzheng Huayu prescription on hepatocyte extinction and regeneration in a mouse model of liver cirrhosis / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Fuzheng Huayu prescription on hepatocyte extinction and regeneration in fibrotic liver and its mechanism of action in promoting hepatocyte regeneration. MethodsMice were given intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 for 6 weeks to establish a model of liver cirrhosis， and there were 10 mice in the model group， 10 in the sorafenib group， 10 in the Fuzheng Huayu prescription group， and 9 in the normal control group. Since week 4 of modeling， the mice in the Fuzheng Huayu prescription group and the sorafenib group were given the corresponding drug by gavage at a dose of 4.8 g/kg and 4 mg/kg， respectively， for three consecutive weeks， and those in the normal group and the model group were given an equal volume of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. Serum liver function parameters were measured； the METAVIR scoring system was used to evaluate liver inflammation and fibrosis stage； Sirius Red staining and hydroxyproline （Hyp） content in liver tissue were used to evaluate collagen deposition； immunohistochemistry was used to measure the protein expression levels of type IV collagen， CD31， CD32b， Ki67， CyclinD1， glutamine synthetase， Wnt2， and HGF， and Western blot was used to measure the expression levels of Wnt2， LRP6， β-catenin， p-β-catenin， and CyclinD1 in liver tissue. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the model group， the Fuzheng Huayu prescription group and the sorafenib group showed the following changes： significant reductions in the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase and the content of Hyp in liver tissue （all P<0.01）； a significant reduction in METAVIR score； significant reductions in the expression levels of type Ⅳ collagen and CD31 （all P<0.05） and a significant increase in the expression level of CD32b （P<0.01）； significant reductions in the number of parenchymal extinction lesions and significant increases in the expression levels of Ki67 and CyclinD1 in liver tissue （all P<0.01）； significant increases in the protein expression levels of Wnt2， LRP6， β-catenin， and CyclinD1 and a significant reduction in the protein expression level of p-β-catenin （all P<0.05）； significant increases in the number of cells stained positive for both CD32b and Wnt2. ConclusionFuzheng Huayu prescription can inhibit hepatic sinusoidal capillarization， improve the Wnt2 exocrine function of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells， activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway associated with hepatocyte regeneration， and finally reverse liver cirrhosis.

Phosphatidic acid-enabled MKL1 contributes to liver regeneration: Translational implication in liver failure

Liver regeneration following injury aids the restoration of liver mass and the recovery of liver function. In the present study we investigated the contribution of megakaryocytic leukemia 1 (MKL1), a transcriptional modulator, to liver regeneration. We report that both MKL1 expression and its nuclear translocation correlated with hepatocyte proliferation in cell and animal models of liver regeneration and in liver failure patients. Mice with MKL1 deletion exhibited defective regenerative response in the liver. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that MKL1 interacted with E2F1 to program pro-regenerative transcription. MAPKAPK2 mediated phosphorylation primed MKL1 for its interaction with E2F1. Of interest, phospholipase d2 promoted MKL1 nuclear accumulation and liver regeneration by catalyzing production of phosphatidic acid (PA). PA administration stimulated hepatocyte proliferation and enhanced survival in a MKL1-dependent manner in a pre-clinical model of liver failure. Finally, PA levels was detected to be positively correlated with expression of pro-regenerative genes and inversely correlated with liver injury in liver failure patients. In conclusion, our data reveal a novel mechanism whereby MKL1 contributes to liver regeneration. Screening for small-molecule compounds boosting MKL1 activity may be considered as a reasonable approach to treat acute liver failure.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles enhance the regenerative capability of fibrotic liver / 器官移植

Objective To investigate the role of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicle (hUC-MSC-EV) in the regeneration of fibrotic liver. Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the 70% normal liver resection group (Oil+PHx group), 70% liver fibrosis resection group (CCl4+PHx group) and 70% liver fibrosis resection+mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicle (MSC-EV) treatment group (CCl4+PHx+MSC-EV group), with 8 mice in each group. LX-2 cell lines were assigned into the phosphate buffer solution (PBS) group, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β group and TGF-β+MSC-EV group. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in mice after partial liver resection were detected in each group. The expression levels of liver fibrosis and proliferation-related parameters were analyzed in each group. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in LX-2 cells were detected in each group, and their effects on HGF expression in mouse liver were observed. Results Compared with the Oil+PHx group, the serum levels of AST, ALT and LDH were up-regulated, and the degree of fibrosis was more severe, the positive area of Sirius red and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) staining was larger, and the expression level of α-SMA protein was up-regulated in the CCl4+PHx group. Compared with the CCl4+PHx group, the serum levels of AST, ALT and LDH were decreased, the degree of fibrosis was slighter, the positive area of Sirius red and α-SMA staining was decreased, and the expression level of α-SMA protein was down-regulated in the CCl4+PHx+MSC-EV group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Compared with the Oil+PHx group, the protein expression levels of Ki67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were lower in the CCl4+PHx group. Compared with the CCl4+PHx group, the protein expression levels of Ki67 and PCNA were increased in the CCl4+PHx+MSC-EV group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Compared with the PBS group, the expression level of CollagenⅠ mRNA in LX-2 cells was increased, the expression level of α-SMA protein was up-regulated and the expression level of HGF protein was decreased in the TGF-β group. Compared with the TGF-β group, the expression level of CollagenⅠ mRNA in LX-2 cells was decreased, the expression levels of HGF mRNA and protein were increased, and the expression level of α-SMA protein was decreased in the TGF-β+MSC-EV group, the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The expression level of HGF protein in the CCl4+PHx group was lower than that in the Oil+PHx group, whereas the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The expression level of HGF protein in the CCl4+PHx+MSC-EV group was higher than that in the CCl4+PHx group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions The regenerative capacity of fibrotic liver is weaker than that of normal liver. hUC-MSC-EV may alleviate liver fibrosis and improve liver regeneration by promoting HGF secretion from actived hepatic stellate cells and effectively enhancing the regenerative capacity of fibrotic liver.

Effect of Toll-like receptor 4 on liver regeneration during acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To investigate whether Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) inhibition affects liver regeneration during acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury in mice, as well as the mechanism of TLR4 involved in liver regeneration. Methods A total of 78 male CD-1 mice were divided into nine groups using a random number table, i.e., three control groups (normal control group, solvent control group, inhibitor control group) with 6 mice in each group and six experimental groups (APAP 24-hour group, TAK-242+APAP 24-hour group, APAP 48-hour group, TAK-242+APAP 48-hour group, APAP 72-hour group, TAK-242+APAP 72-hour group) with 10 mice in each group. The mice in the experimental groups were given a single dose of intraperitoneally injected APAP (300 mg/kg), and TAK-242 was intraperitoneally injected at a dose of 3 mg/kg at 3 hours before APAP administration. Serum and liver tissue samples were collected at different time points. The biochemical method was used to measure the serum level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT); HE staining was used to observe liver pathological changes; RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were used to measure the expression levels of Cyclin D1, PCNA, Ki-67, STAT3, and p-STAT3. The t -test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups; a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t -test was used for further comparison between two groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups and further comparison between two groups. Results Compared with the normal control group, the APAP 24-hour and 48-hour groups had a significantly higher serum level of ALT (both P < 0.05), and the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour and 48-hour groups had a significantly higher serum level of ALT than the APAP group at the same time point (both P < 0.05). HE staining showed typical central lobular necrosis in the liver of APAP-treated mice, and the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour and 48-hour groups had a significantly larger necrotic area than the APAP group at the same time point (both P < 0.05). RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry showed that the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour groups had significantly lower mRNA and protein expression levels of Cyclin D1 than the APAP group at the same time point (all P < 0.05); the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour groups had a significantly lower mRNA expression level of PCNA than the APAP group at the same time point (all P < 0.05), and the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour and 48-hour groups had a significantly lower protein expression level of PCNA than the APAP group at the same time point (all P < 0.05); the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour and 72-hour groups had a significantly lower mRNA expression level of Ki-67 than the APAP group at the same time point (all P < 0.05), and the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour groups had a significantly lower protein expression level of Ki-67 than the APAP group at the same time point (all P < 0.05). In addition, the TAK-242+APAP 24-hour and 48-hour groups had a significantly lower phosphorylation level of STAT3 than the APAP group at the same time point (both P < 0.05). Conclusion TLR4 may promote liver regeneration by increasing the phosphorylation level of STAT3 during APAP-induced liver injury in mice.

The effect of ALPL on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 To observe the role of liver/bone/kidney alkaline phosphatase gene (ALPL) in liver regeneration following 70% hepatectomy (partial hepatectomy, PH). 【Methods】 A knock-out mouse model (ALPL+/-) was established, and a 70% hepatectomy was performed. Changes in liver weight and liver function were measured at PH 1 day, PH 3 day, and PH 7 day (PH1d、PH3d、PH7d) after surgery. In addition, cell proliferation, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were performed by Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. 【Results】 ALPL knockout mice at PH7d exhibited a lower ratio of liver/total body weight than normal control mice. An analysis of liver function showed no significant difference between the ALPL knockout group and the WT (ALPL+/+) group when the ALPL gene was deleted. While Ki67 staining and PCNA analysis indicated that liver cell proliferation was decreased in ALPL+/- mice at PH1d and increased at PH7d compared to that in ALPL+/+group. Additionally, knockouts of ALPL decreased serum and liver HGF and VEGF levels at PH1d compared to WT controls, but increased at PH7d. 【Conclusion】 The knockout of ALPL leads to a delayed liver regeneration following hepatectomy, which provides theoretical support for exploring the mechanisms underlying liver regeneration after hepatectomy.

Potential value of mesenchymal stem cells and their derivatives in repairing donor liver / 器官移植

In recent years, organ transplantation has developed rapidly in China, whereas the proportion of supply and demand of organs for donation is severely unbalanced. To resolve the shortage of donor livers, repairing extended criteria donor liver and improving the quality of donor liver are critical research directions. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) is a category of stem cells with self-renewal and differentiation potential, which possess the functions of immunomodulation and tissue repair. The derivatives of MSC have the advantages of low immunogenicity and high biocompatibility, which have been widely applied in the treatment of multiple diseases. In this article, research progress on the role of MSC, exosomes and extracellular vesicles in alleviating liver steatosis, repairing ischemia-reperfusion injury and promoting the regeneration of small-for-size liver allograft was reviewed, and the feasibility and safety of MSC and the derivatives in repairing donor liver were summarized, aiming provide novel ideas for repairing marginal donor liver and enhancing the quality of liver allograft.

Liver cell therapies: cellular sources and grafting strategies / 医学前沿

The liver has a complex cellular composition and a remarkable regenerative capacity. The primary cell types in the liver are two parenchymal cell populations, hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, that perform most of the functions of the liver and that are helped through interactions with non-parenchymal cell types comprising stellate cells, endothelia and various hemopoietic cell populations. The regulation of the cells in the liver is mediated by an insoluble complex of proteins and carbohydrates, the extracellular matrix, working synergistically with soluble paracrine and systemic signals. In recent years, with the rapid development of genetic sequencing technologies, research on the liver's cellular composition and its regulatory mechanisms during various conditions has been extensively explored. Meanwhile breakthroughs in strategies for cell transplantation are enabling a future in which there can be a rescue of patients with end-stage liver diseases, offering potential solutions to the chronic shortage of livers and alternatives to liver transplantation. This review will focus on the cellular mechanisms of liver homeostasis and how to select ideal sources of cells to be transplanted to achieve liver regeneration and repair. Recent advances are summarized for promoting the treatment of end-stage liver diseases by forms of cell transplantation that now include grafting strategies.

Research progress of liver regeneration after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Liver is an organ with strong regenerative potential. After trauma, infection, surgery and so on, it will initiate a series of regulation for orderly regeneration to rapidly restore liver function and liver volume and thus maintain normal physiological function. This article summarizes the process of liver regeneration after hepatectomy, the evaluation methods for liver regeneration and the factors affecting liver regeneration, so as to provide references for clinical precision liver surgical treatment.

Research progress of accelerated liver regeneration induced by associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) can induce accelerated regeneration of future liver remnant (FLR) and provide the opportunity of radical resection for previously inoperable patients with liver cancer, which has been considered to be one of the most important breakthroughs in liver surgery during the 21st century. It is of great significance to fully understand the mechanism of accelerated liver regeneration induced by ALPPS. This article comprehensively reviews the research progress in this field during the past 10 years.

Clinical efficacy of portal vein embolization with different embolization materials in patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To study the clinical effects of portal vein embolization (PVE) with N-butyl cyanoacrylate copolymer (NBCA) and with gelatin sponge (GS) as embolization materials in patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:Clinical data of 90 patients with initial unresectable HCC who underwent PVE treatment at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from November 2014 to April 2020 were included. There were 77 males and 13 females, aged 48 (25, 67) years old. Patients were divided into two groups according to the embolization materials selected in PVE: NBCA group ( n=60) and GS group ( n=30). Forty-eight and 18 patients finally underwent secondary hepatectomy in NBCA group (resectable NBCA group) and GS group (resectable GS group), respectively. Clinical data including future liver remnant (FLR) growth rate and secondary hepatectomy rate were analyzed. Survivals after hepatectomy was followed up by telephone, WeChat, and outpatient review. Results:The secondary hepatectomy rate in NBCA group was higher than that in GS group [80%(48/60) vs. 60%(18/30), P=0.043]. The waiting time from primary intervention to secondary hepatectomy in resectable NBCA group was 15 (7, 96) d, which was shorter than that in resectable GS group [40 (28, 118) d, P<0.001]. The FLR growth rate of resectable NBCA group was 9.03 (1.24, 29.64) ml/d, which was faster than that in resectable GS group [3.76 (0.08, 8.03) ml/d, P<0.001]. The recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates of patients in resectable NBCA group were 69.1%, 62.0% and 44.7% at 1, 2 and 3 years after surgery, and the overall survival (OS) rates were 76.4%, 69.5% and 59.6%, respectively. The RFS rates of patients in resectable GS group were 60.6%, 48.5% and 35.4% at 1, 2 and 3 years after surgery, and the OS rates were 66.7%, 60.6% and 42.4%, respectively. There were no significant differences in RFS and OS between two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:PVE with NBCA and GS as embolization material showed good efficacy in patients with initially unresectable HCC. The FLR growth rate and secondary hepatectomy rate of patients using NBCA were better than those of patients using GS.

Clinical efficacy of TACE combined with PVE versus percutaneous microwave ablation liver partition with PVE for planned hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma with insufficient remnant liver volume / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with portal vein embolization (PVE) and percutaneous microwave ablation liver partition with PVE for planned hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with insu-fficient remnant liver volume.Methods:The clinical data of 51 patients with initially unresectable HCC due to insufficient remnant liver volume admitted to Zhejiang Provincial Tongde Hospital and Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital from January 2014 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 37 males and 14 females, aged (56.7±11.2) years old. Patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment prior to hepatectomy: percutaneous microwave ablation liver partition combined with PVE (AP group, n=12) and TACE with PVE (TP group, n=39). Patients who successfully underwent planned hepatectomy in the above two groups were marked as resectable AP group ( n=10) and the resectable TP group ( n=29), respectively. Clinical data including the waiting time for surgery and the incidence of complications were analyzed. Patients were followed up by telephone or outpatient review. Kaplan-Meier and log-rank analysis were used for survival comparison. Results:The FLR growth rate was higher in AP group [76.5% (65.3%, 81.6%)] than that in TP group [31.4% (28.2%, 41.9%), P<0.01]. The waiting time for planned hepatectomy in the resectable AP group was 12.0 (11.3, 14.5) d, shorter than that in the resec-table TP group [21.0 (15.0, 29.0) d, P<0.05]. The incidence of postoperative complications was higher in the resectable AP group than that in the resectable TP group [80.0% (8/10) vs. 27.6% (8/29), P<0.05]. There was one perioperative death in the resectable AP group. The survival rate after PVE was lower in AP group than that in TP group, and the survival rate after hepatectomy was also lower in the resectable AP group than that in the resectable TP group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:For HCC patients with insufficient FLR, TACE combined with PVE is a safe and effective method for enlargement of liver remnant, whereas percutaneous microwave ablation liver partition with PVE showed a poor prognosis, despite the higher rate of FLR enlargement and shortened the waiting time for planned hepatectomy.

Expression change and role of myeloma cancer gene mRNA and the non-coding RNA in the hepatocyte cycle initiation and termination during the rat liver regeneration / 解剖学报

Objective To explore the role pathway and pattern of the myeloma cancer gene (MYC) and its mRNA interaction with the microRNAs(miRNAs) and circular RNA(circRNAs) at hour 0, hour 6 and hour 72 in the rat liver regeneration. Methods The rat 2/3 hepatectomy (PH) model was prepared as described by Higgins, the hepatocytes were isolated according to the method of Smedsrod et al. The expression changes of mRNA, miRNA and circRNA [together named as competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA)] were detected by the large-scale quantitative detection technology, the interaction network of ceRNA was constructed by Cytoscape 3.2 software, and their correlation in expression and role were analyzed by ceRNA comprehensive analysis. Results It was found that at hour 0 and hour 6 after PH, the ratio value of MYC mRNA showed 0.15±0.03 and 2.36±0.20, miR-134-5p indicated 3.22±0.61 and 0.08±0.02, circRNA_12112 displayed 0.68±0.21 and 13.35±3.53. At the same time, the cell cycle initiation-related genes ras association domain family member 1 (RASSF1), cyclin dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), which were promoted in expression by MYC, were down-regulated at hour 0 after PH, but the cell cycle initiation-related genes nestin (NES), RAD21 cohesin complex component (RAD21), CUE domain containing 2 (CUEDC2), which are inhibieted in expression by MYC, had no meaningful express changes at hour 0 after PH. On the other hand, the cell cycle initiation-related gene SOD2, which was promoted in expression by MYC, was up-regulated at hour 6 after PH, but the cell cycle initiation-related genes NES, RAD21, CUEDC2, which are inhibieted in expression by MYC, were down-regulated at hour 6 after PH. In contrary, at hour 72 after PH, the ratio value of MYC mRNA showed 2.36±0.20, miR-880-3p indicated 0.54±0.01, circRNA_09599 displayd 0.54±0.16. At the same time, the cell cycle termination-related gene hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which is promoted in expression by MYC, was up-regulated 72 hours after PH, the cell cycle termination-related genes MET proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase (MET) and cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A), which are inhibieted in expression by MYC, were down-regulated 72 hours after PH. Conclusion The correlation in expression and role of the miRNAs, which are inhibited by circRNAs, MYC, its mRNA is inhibited by miRNAs, and the cell cycle initiation-related and cell cycle termination-related genes, which are regulated by MYC, are helpful for the hepatocyte to be in cell cycle initiation state at hour 6 after PH and to be in cell cycle termination state at hour 72 after PH.

Expression change and role of Kruppel-like factor 4 mRNA, microRNA-881-3p, circular RNA_20298 and circular RNA_14826 in the hepatocyte apoptosis during the rat liver regeneration / 解剖学报

[ Abstract] Objective To explore the role pathway and pattern of the Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and its mRNA interaction with microRNA (miRNAs) and circular RNA (circRNAs) at 0 hour and the 120 th hour in the rat liver regeneration. Methods The rat 2 / 3 hepatectomy (partial hepatectomy, PH) model was prepared as described by Higgins, the hepatocytes were isolated according to the method of Smedsrod et al, the expression changes of mRNA, miRNA and circRNA together named as competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) were detected by the large-scale quantitative detection technology, the interaction network of ceRNA was constructed by Cytoscape 3. 2 software, and their correlation in expression and role were analyzed by ceRNA comprehensive analysis. Results It was found that at the 0 hour and the 120th hour PH, the ratio value of KLF4 mRNA showed 1. 00±0. 16 and 3. 14±0. 27, miR-881-3p displays 18. 30±1. 44 and 0. 47±0. 02, circRNA_20298 indicated 0. 32±0. 10 and 4. 24±0. 22, circRNA_14826 showed 0. 42±0. 13 and 0. 61±0. 08. At the same time, the four kinds of cell apoptosis-related genes adrenoceptor beta 2 (ADRB2), dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 2 (DDAH2), annexin A5 (ANXA5), ect, which were promoted in expression by KLF4, were down-regulated at 0 hour after PH, but the cell apoptosis-related genes synuclein gamma (SNCG), glutathione-disulfide reductase (GSR), FYVE, RhoGEF and PH domain containing 4 (FGD4), ect, which were inhibited in expression by KLF4, were up-regulated at 0 hour after PH. On the other hand, the cell apoptosis-related genes ANXA5 and thymosin beta 10 (TMSB10), which are promoted in expression by KLF4, were up-regulated at the 120th hour after PH, but the cell apoptosis-related genes chloride intracellular channel 4 (CLIC4) and ataxin 3 (ATXN3), ect, which were inhibited in expression by KLF4, were down-regulated at the 120th hour after PH. Conclusion The correlation in expression and role of the miRNAs, which are inhibited by circRNAs, KLF4, its mRNA is inhibited by miRNAs, and the cell apoptosis-related genes, which are regulated by KLF4, are helpful for the hepatocyte to be in active state 0 hour after PH and to be in apoptotic state 120-hour after PH.

Expression change and role of sex determining region box transcription factor 2 mRNA and the non-coding RNA in the hepatocyte stem changes during the rat liver regeneration / 解剖学报

Objective To explore the role pathway and pattern of the sex determining region box transcription factor 2 (SOX2) and its mRNA interaction with microRNA(miRNAs, miR) and circular RNA(circRNA) at 0 hour and 2 hours in the rat liver regeneration. Methods The rat 2/3 hepatectomy (partial hepatectomy, PH) model was prepared as described by Higgins, the hepatocytes were isolated according to the method of Smedsrod et al, the expression changes of mRNA, miRNA and circRNA [together named as competing endogenous RNAs(ceRNA)] were detected by the large-scale quantitative detection technology, the interaction network of ceRNA was constructed by Cytoscape 3.2 software, and their correlation in expression and role were analyzed by ceRNA comprehensive analysis. Results It was found that at the 0 hour and 2 hours after PH, the ratio value of SOX2 mRNA shows 1.00±0.09 and 2.15±0.48, miR-3558-3p displays 4.53± 0.10 and 0.81±0.16, circRNA_18404 shows 1.24±0.04 and 11.10±0.57, circRNA_18045 displays 1.97±0.47 and 4.44± 0.23. At the same time, the eight kinds of cell dedifferentiation-related genes AT-rich interaction domain 5A (ARID5A), activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), BTG anti-proliferation factor 2 (BTG2), etc, which are prometed in expression by SOX2, were down-regulated at 0 h after PH, but the cell differentiation-related genes interferon regulatory factor 6 (IRF6) and somatostatin (SST), which are inhibited in expression by SOX2, were up-regulated at 0 hour after PH. On the other hand, the eight kinds of cell dedifferentiation-related genes ARID5A, ATF3, BTG2, etc, which are promoted in expression by SOX2, were up-regulated at 2 hours after PH, but the cell differentiation-related gene SST, which is inhibited in expression by SOX2, was down-regulated, and IRF6 had no meaningful changes in expression at 2 hours after PH. Conclusion The correlation in expression and role of the miRNA, which are inhibited by circRNA, SOX2, its mRNA is inhibited by miRNA, and the cell stem-related genes, which are regulated by SOX2, are helpful for the hepatocyte to be in differentiation state at 0 hour after PH and to be in stem state at 2 hours after PH.

Expression change and role of myeloma cancer gene mRNA, microRNA-540-3p, circular RNA-04996 in the liver inflammatory reaction during the rat liver regeneration / 解剖学报

Objective To explore the role pathway and pattern of the transcription factor myeloma cancer gene (MYC) and its mRNA interaction with microRNA(miRNA, miR) and ciccular RNA(circRNAs) at 0 hour and 6 hour in the rat liver regeneration. Methods The rat 2/3 hepatectomy (partial hepatectomy，PH) model was prepared as described by Higgins, the expression changes of mRNA, miRNA and circRNA together named as competing endogenous RNAs(ceRNA) of remnant liver were detected by the large-scale quantitative detection technology, the interaction network of ceRNA was constructed by Cytoscape 3.2 software, and their correlation in expression and role were analyzed by ceRNA comprehensive analysis. Results It was found that at 0 hour and 6 hours after PH, the ratio value of MYC mRNA showed 0.15±0.03 and 2.36±0.20, miR-540-3p displays 3.00±0.43 and 0.79±0.01, circRNA_04996 showed 1.43±0.43 and 3.14±0.94. At the same time, the four kinds of inflammatory reaction-related genes plasminogen activator urokinase receptor (PLAUR), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 1 receptor type 2 (IL1R2), ect, which were prometed in expression by MYC, were down-regulated at 0 hour after PH, but the inflammatory reaction-related genes natriuretic peptide A (NPPA), nuclear receptor subfamily O group B member 2 (NROB2) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARA), which were inhibited in expression by MYC, were up-regulated at 0 hour after PH. On the other hand, the three kinds of inflammatory reaction-related genes PLAUR, TNF, IL1R2, ect, which are prometed in expression by MYC, were up-regulated at 6 hours after PH, but the inflammatory reaction-related genes NPPA, NROB2 and PPARA, which were inhibited in expression by MYC, were down-regulated at 6 hours after PH. Conclusion The correlation in expression and role of the miRNA, which are inhibited by circRNAs, MYC, its mRNA is inhibited by miRNAs, and the inflammatory reaction-related genes, which are regulated by MYC, and are helpful for the hepatocyte to be in non-inflammatory reaction state at 0 hour after PH and to be in inflammatory reaction state at 6 hours after PH.

The effect of the extracellular vesicle loaded polylactic acid microspheres in promoting hepatocyte proliferation / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To prepare a microparticle delivery system that regulates the release rate of extracellular vesicles (EVs), and to exert long-term enhancement of liver cell proliferation after only one intervention. Methods EVs was extracted by differential centrifugation. The structure of the EVs was observed by transmission electron microscopy and the membrane marker protein of EVs was detected by Western blotting. EVs-PLA microspheres with "core-shell" structure were prepared by emulsion-solvent evaporation method. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to detect the morphology of EVs-PLA microspheres and EVs. The release test detected the release behavior of EVs in EVs-PLA microspheres. Scanning electron microscopy was used to detect the morphological changes of EVs-PLA microspheres at 8 weeks of release. EVs-PLA microspheres were co-cultured with hepatocytes, and Phalloidin/DAPI staining was used to observe the cell morphology and evaluate the cytotoxicity of the microspheres. CCK8-test was used to evaluate the cell proliferation activity. Western blot analysis was used to detect extracellular vesicles membrane marker protein expression. Results Comparing the ability of hepatocyte proliferation in the group treated with EVs-PLA microspheres and the control group, it was found that EVs-PLA microspheres did not cause cell apoptosis and mutation in cell structure, had biocompatibility and no cytotoxicity. The EVs-PLA microspheres with "core-shell" structure regulated the release behavior of EVs, which can continuously release EVs, exerting a continuous biological role in promoting hepatocyte proliferation after a single intervention. Conclusions The EVs-PLA microspheres can control-release EVs and promote hepatocyte proliferation continuously after a single intervention, providing a reference for further exploration of EVs-loaded delivery systems in promoting liver regeneration.

Cellular polyploidy in organ homeostasis and regeneration

Polyploid cells, which contain more than one set of chromosome pairs, are very common in nature. Polyploidy can provide cells with several potential benefits over their diploid counterparts, including an increase in cell size, contributing to organ growth and tissue homeostasis, and improving cellular robustness via increased tolerance to genomic stress and apoptotic signals. Here, we focus on why polyploidy in the cell occurs and which stress responses and molecular signals trigger cells to become polyploid. Moreover, we discuss its crucial roles in cell growth and tissue regeneration in the heart, liver, and other tissues.

Expression and significance of response gene to complement 32 in liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression and role of response gene to complement 32 （RGC32） in liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy （PH）. MethodsA total of 42 male C57BL/6 mice， aged 10 weeks， were randomly divided into control group， postoperative day 1 group （1－d group）， postoperative day 2 group （2－d group）， postoperative day 4 group （4－d group）， postoperative day 6 group （6－d group）， postoperative day 8 group （8－d group）， and postoperative day 10 group （10－d group）， with 6 mice in each group. In the control group， the complete liver of the mice was resected for weighing and photography as the normal control group （sham group）； further， the left and middle lobes of the liver were resected for weighing and photography as the surgical control group （0－day group）； the sham group and the 0－day group shared the same group of mice. After successful modeling by PH， the mice were sacrificed on days 1， 2， 4， 6， 8， and 10 after surgery， and the liver was collected to measure the change in size. HE staining and oil red O staining were used to evaluate liver histomorphological changes； serum alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） were measured to evaluate the changes in liver function； immunohistochemical staining was used to measure the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） and Ki67 and analyze the change in cell proliferation during liver regeneration； quantitatie real－time PCR and immunohistochemical staining were uused to measure the expression and subcellular distribution of RGC32 during liver regeneration； EdU cell proliferation assay was used to analyze the effect of RGC32 overexpression or knocknout on hepatocyte proliferation in L02 cells. For continuous data， comparison between multiple groups was made by analysis of variance， and further pairwise comparisons were conducted using the LSD－t test. The independent samples t－test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups. A Pearson correlation analysis was performed. ResultsThe liver gradually enlarged after PH， and the liver/body weight ratio rose to the peak from days 0 to 6， with significant differences between different time points （all P<0.05）， while there was no significant change in liver size from days 6 to 10. The number of liver lipid droplets significantly increased after PH surgery and gradually decreased with liver regeneration， with a significant difference between the portal vein region and the central vein region （all P<0.05）. Compared with the sham group， the 1d group had significant increases in the serum levels of ALT and AST （all P<0.05）， which gradually returned to the levels of the sham group on day 6 and day 2 after surgery， respectively （P>0.05）. Immunohistochemical staining showed that there were rapid increases in the numbers of PCNA－ and Ki67－positive liver parenchymal cells after PH surgery， with the highest numbers of 86±5 and 89±5， respectively， on day 2， which then gradually decreased； however， there were gradual increases in the numbers of PCNA－ and Ki67－positive nonparenchymal cells， with the peak numbers of 34±5 and 25±3， respectively， on day 6， which then gradually decreased. The total expression of RGC32 increased to the highest level on day 2 after PH surgery and then gradually decreased， and the changing trend of RGC32 expression in cytoplasm was consistent with that of total RGC32 expression； however， the expression of RGC32 in nucleus decreased to the lowest level on day 2 after PH surgery and then increased gradually. The correlation analysis showed that the expression of RGC32 in nucleus was negatively correlated with the proliferation of liver parenchymal cells （R2=0.308 3， P=0.016 7）， and the expression of RGC32 in cytoplasm was positively correlated with the proliferation of liver parenchymal cells （R2=0.808 6， P<0.000 1）. Cell experiments showed that compared with the control group， the EdU－positive rate was reduced by 15.6% after RGC32 overexpression （P<0.01） and was increased by 19.2% after RGC32 knockdown （P<0.01）. ConclusionLiver parenchymal cells and nonparenchymal cells show asynchronous proliferation and participate in liver regeneration together. During liver regeneration after hepatectomy， there are differences in the expression of RGC32 between nucleus and cytoplasm， and RGC32 in nucleus may inhibit hepatocyte proliferation.