Eight paths of ERK1/2 signalling pathway regulating hepatocyte proliferation in rat liver regeneration

Although it is known that hormones, growth factors and integrin promote hepatocyte proliferation in liver regeneration (LR) through ERK1/2 signalling pathway, reports about regulating processes of its intracellular paths in hepatocytes of LR are limited. This study aims at exploring which paths of ERK1/2 signalling pathway participate in the regulation of rat LR, especially in hepatocyte proliferation, and how they do so. In all, 14 paths and 165 genes are known to be involved in ERK1/2 signalling pathway. Of them, 161 genes are included in Rat Genome 230 2.0 Array. This array was used to detect expression changes of genes related to ERK1/2 signalling pathway in isolated hepatocytes of rat LR, showing that 60 genes were related to hepatocytes of LR. In addition, bioinformatics and systems biology methods were used to analyse the roles of 14 above paths in regenerating hepatocytes. We found that three paths, RTK→SHC→GRB2/SOS→RAS→RAF, IntegrinΒ→FAK→RAC→PAK→RAF and GΒγ→PI3KΒγ→RAC→PAK→RAF, promoted the G1 phase progression of hepatocytes by activating ERK1/2. A further four paths, Gq→PLCΒ→PKC→SRC/PYK2→GRB2/SOS→RAS→RAF, RTK→PLCγ→PKC→SRC/PYK2→GRB2/SOS→RAS→RAF, IntegrinΒ→FAK/SRC→GRB2/SOS→RAS→RAF and IntegrinΒ→FAK→RAC→PAK→RAF, advanced the cell progression of S phase and G(2)/M checkpoint by activating ERK1/2, and so did PP1/2→Mek1/2 by decreasing the negative influence on ERK1/2. At the late phase of LR, Gαs→AC→EPAC→Rap1→Raf blocked hepatocyte proliferation by decreasing the activity of ERK1/2 and so did PP1/2→Mek1/2. In summary, 60 genes and 8 paths of ERK1/2 signalling pathway regulated hepatocyte proliferation in rat LR.     

生长激素信号通路调节大鼠再生肝的肝细胞增殖

生长激素(growth hormone, GH)信号通路对机体生长发育具有重要的调控作用。GH通过与特异性膜表面受体结合,启动下游一系列信号通路反应,进而调控细胞增殖、分化和迁移,防止细胞凋亡等。GH对细胞增殖的调控机制一直以来都是研究的热点,但部分肝切除（partial hepatectomy,PH）后,生长激素相关的信号通路是否会活化,调控相关基因的表达,从而促进肝实质细胞增殖,尚未见报道。本文以percoll密度梯度离心结合磁珠分离的大鼠再生肝的肝细胞为材料,采用Rat Genome 230 20芯片与生物信息学相结合的方法,研究GH信号通路对肝再生的调控作用。结果表明,大鼠再生肝的肝细胞中22种基因与GH信号通路相关,其中,Gh1、Jak3、Stat3等14种基因表达上调,Irs3、Ghr、Mras等8种基因表达下调。谱函数（Et）分析基因表达变化预示的细胞增殖活动和信号转导活性表明,GH信号通路的信号传导活性在大鼠肝再生的2~72 h强于对照,所调节的肝细胞增殖活动在6~72 h也强于对照。综上所述,GH信号通路促进大鼠再生肝的肝细胞增殖。     

Study on the activity of the signaling pathways regulating hepatocytes from G0 phase into G1 phase during rat liver regeneration

Under normal physiological conditions, the majority of hepatocytes are in the functional state (G0 phase). After injury or liver partial hepatectomy (PH), hepatocytes are rapidly activated to divide. To understand the mechanism underlying hepatocyte G0/G1 transition during rat liver regeneration, we used the Rat Genome 230 2.0 Array to determine the expression changes of genes, then searched the GO and NCBI databases for genes associated with the G0/G1 transition, and QIAGEN and KEGG databases for the G0/G1 transition signaling pathways. We used expression profile function (E _t ) to calculate the activity level of the known G0/G1 transition signal pathways, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis 9.0 (IPA) to determine the interactions among these signaling pathways. The results of our study show that the activity of the signaling pathways of HGF, IL-10 mediated by p38MAPK, IL-6 mediated by STAT3, and JAK/STAT mediated by Ras/ERK and STAT3 are significantly increased during the priming phase (2–6 h after PH) of rat liver regeneration. This leads us to conclude that during rat liver regeneration, the HGF, IL-10, IL-6 and JAK/STAT signaling pathways play a major role in promoting hepatocyte G0/G1 transition in the regenerating liver.     

Transcriptome atlas of eight liver cell types uncovers effects of histidine catabolites on rat liver regeneration

Eight liver cell types were isolated using the methods of Percoll density gradient centrifugation and immunomagnetic beads to explore effects of histidine catabolites on rat liver regeneration. Rat Genome 230 2.0 Array was used to detect the expression profiles of genes associated with metabolism of histidine and its catabolites for the above-mentioned eight liver cell types, and bioinformatic and systems biology approaches were employed to analyse the relationship between above genes and rat liver regeneration. The results showed that the urocanic acid (UA) was degraded from histidine in Kupffer cells, acts on Kupffer cells itself and dendritic cells to generate immune suppression by autocrine and paracrine modes. Hepatocytes, biliary epithelia cells, oval cells and dendritic cells can convert histidine to histamine, which can promote sinusoidal endothelial cells proliferation by GsM pathway, and promote the proliferation of hepatocytes and biliary epithelia cells by GqM pathway.     

基于IPA分析自噬对大鼠肝再生中树突状细胞的调节作用

为探讨自噬对大鼠肝再生中树突状细胞(Dendritic cells, DCs)的调节作用,文章通过Percoll 密度梯度离心结合免疫磁珠分选分离大鼠DCs,Rat Genome 230 2.0芯片检测大鼠肝再生中自噬相关基因表达变化,利用IPA等软件分析自噬在DCs中的生理活动。结果表明,LC3、BECN1、ATG7和SQSTM1等关键基因在部分肝切除后不同恢复时间段有明显表达变化;芯片中对应的自噬相关基因为593个,其中210个基因发生了有意义的变化。比较分析自噬生理活动情况,发现自噬在再生早期和晚期阶段增强,增殖期减弱。与自噬相关的生理活动主要有RNA表达、RNA转录细胞分化和增殖,其中涉及的信号通路主要有PPARα/RXRα激活、急性期反应、TREM1 信号通路、IL-6 信号通路、IL-8 信号通路和IL-1 信号通路等,它们在肝再生阶段发生了不同程度的上调或下调。Cluster 分析还发现,P53和AMPK信号参与调控DCs的自噬活动,在肝再生早期主要是AMPK信号,在肝再生末期P53和AMPK信号共同参与自噬的调节。以上研究结果说明DCs自噬可能在肝再生早期激活细胞免疫反应和后期清除DCs等方面发挥着重要作用。     

大鼠再生肝8种细胞的丝氨酸族氨基酸代谢相关基因的转录谱

为了解大鼠肝再生中8种肝脏细胞的丝氨酸族氨基酸代谢相关基因转录谱, 文章用Percoll密度梯度离心结合免疫磁珠分选分离大鼠的8种再生肝细胞, 用Rat Genome 230 2.0芯片等检测它们中丝氨酸族氨基酸代谢相关基因的表达变化, 用Cluster和Treeview等软件分析上述基因在肝再生中表达模式, 用生物信息学和系统生物学等方法分析上述细胞中丝氨酸族氨基酸代谢活动。结果表明, 在27个发生有意义表达变化的基因中, 肝细胞、胆管上皮细胞、卵圆细胞、肝星形细胞、窦内皮细胞、库普弗细胞、陷窝细胞、树突状细胞的基因数分别为13、16、11、14、13、11、12、14, 相应细胞的上调、下调和上/下调的基因数分别为7、6和0, 2、10和4, 2、8和1, 8、3和3, 6、5和2, 4、6和1, 2、10和0, 6、6和2。总的来看, 肝再生中各细胞的表达下调基因占优势, 但在肝再生启动阶段, 肝星形细胞和窦内皮细胞的表达上调基因占优势。上述丝氨酸族氨基酸代谢相关基因转录谱预示丝氨酸族氨基酸的合成主要在肝再生启动阶段的肝细胞、肝星形细胞、窦内皮细胞和库普弗细胞中增强, 它们的降解主要在肝再生进展阶段的肝细胞、胆管上皮细胞、陷窝细胞和树突状细胞中进行。     

Differential gene expression and functional analysis of pit cells from regenerating rat liver

Hepatic pit cells are a population of large granular lymphocytes that substantially contribute to hepatic immunity. Studies have proven that pit cells have a role in liver regeneration, but the details of the relationship between pit cells and liver regeneration is not clear at present. We subjected rats to a two-third hepatectomy; pit cells with high purity were obtained with Percoll density centrifugation and immunomagnetic bead methods, and the changes in mRNA levels in pit cells from the regenerating liver were monitored up to 168 h using a Rat Genome 230 2.0 Array composed of 25,020 distinct rat liver cDNA clones. Of the 25,020 genes analyzed, 612 known and 358 unknown genes were identified to be associated with liver regeneration. The 612 known genes are classified into up-regulation and down-regulation patterns based on the expression levels; they primarily participate in at least 23 biological activities based on gene ontology analysis. Together with gene function enrichment analysis, cytokines and a growth factor-mediated pathway in pit cells were activated at an early phase of liver regeneration; pit cell proliferation occurred from 24-72 h after liver hepatectomy; the machinery of pit cell differentiation commenced early and came into play late; an immune/inflammatory response was enhanced late. Expression pattern analysis of functionally classified genes in pit cells can give insights into the relationship between pit cells and liver regeneration.     

CCl4诱导的大鼠急性肝衰竭与恢复过程中基因表达变化及作用分析

急性肝［功能］衰竭(acute liver failure, ALF)是一种危害较大的肝疾病,因其诱发和影响因素众多,导致其发生和发展机制尚不完全清楚。本文构建了四氯化碳(CCl4)诱导的大鼠ALF模型,通过检测血清ALT和AST活性、肝系数及形态结构进行建模评估,用大鼠基因组 230 2.0芯片和生物信息学方法检测和分析了相关基因表达变化,用qRT-PCR和Western印迹检测了其机制相关基因在mRNA和蛋白质水平的表达变化。结果表明,本研究成功建立了可靠的大鼠ALF模型。检测发现,6 681个基因发生了有意义的表达变化。其中,4 819个基因与ALF相关。在急性肝［功能］衰竭过程中,细胞存活、增殖和分化等生理活动及IL-1、IL-6和IL-8等信号通路的信号传导活性增强,而细胞凋亡以及p53、ATM和AMPK等信号通路减弱。基于本文结果推测,在ALF的损伤和进展阶段,炎症因子IL-1R1、TNFR1和TNFR2等通过IL-1α→IL-1R1→→MAPK8→FOS/JUN途径和/或TNF-α→TNFR1/B→→ NF-κB→→ Caspases途径促进细胞凋亡、炎症反应和免疫应答;抑癌基因TP53在进展和恢复阶段,通过p53途径调节细胞凋亡;TNF-α和IL-10在恢复阶段,通过NF-κB、JAK-STAT和MAPK等信号通路激活增殖相关基因表达,促进肝细胞增殖。本文推测,在CCl4诱导的急性肝［功能］衰竭中,IL-1R1、TNFR1、TNFR2、CASPASE3、TP53、PCNA和NF-κB等基因发挥重要作用。本文为了解急性肝［功能］衰竭的发生和发展机制提供了有用的信息。     

Expression profiles of the genes associated with metabolism and transport of amino acids and their derivatives in rat liver regeneration

Summary. Amino acids (AA) are components of protein and precursors of many important biological molecules. To address effects of the genes associated with metabolism and transport of AA and their derivatives during rat liver regeneration (LR), we firstly obtained the above genes by collecting databases data and retrieving related thesis, and then analyzed their expression profiles during LR using Rat Genome 230 2.0 array. The LR-associated genes were identified by comparing the gene expression difference between partial hepatectomy (PH) and sham-operation (SO) rat livers. It was approved that 134 genes associated with metabolism of AA and their derivatives and 26 genes involved in transport of them were LR-associated. The initially and totally expressing number of these genes occurring in initial phase of LR (0.5–4 h after PH), G0/G1 (4–6 h after PH), cell proliferation (6–66 h after PH), cell differentiation and structure-function reconstruction of liver tissue (72–168 h after PH) were respectively 76, 17, 79, 5 and 162, 89, 564, 195, illustrating that these LR-associated genes were initially expressed mainly in initial stage, and functioned in different phases. Frequencies of up-regulation and down-regulation of them being separately 564 and 357 demonstrated that genes up-regulated outnumbered those down-regulated. Categorization of their expression patterns into 22 types implied the diversity of cell physiological and biochemical activities. According to expression changes and patterns of the above-mentioned genes in LR, it was presumed that histidine biosynthesis in the metaphase and anaphase, valine metabolism in the anaphase, and metabolism of glutamate, glutamine, asparate, asparagine, methionine, alanine, leucine and aromatic amino acid almost were enhanced in the whole LR; as for amino acid derivatives, transport of neutral amino acids, urea, γ-aminobutyric acid, betaine and taurine, metabolism of dopamine, heme, S-adenosylmethionine, thyroxine, and biosynthesis of hydroxyproline, nitric oxide, orinithine, polyamine, carnitine, selenocysteine were augmented during the entire liver restoration. Above results showed that metabolism and transport of AA and their derivates were necessary in liver regeneration. Authors’ address: Prof. Dr. C. S. Xu, College of Life Science, No. 46, Jianshe RD, Henan, Xinxiang 453007, China     

Molecular dissection of gp130-dependent pathways in hepatocytes during liver regeneration

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) via its signal transducer gp130 is an important mediator of liver regeneration involved in protecting from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury after partial hepatectomy (PH). Here we generated mice either defective (Delta) in hepatocyte-specific gp130-dependent Ras or STAT activation to define their role during liver regeneration. Deletion of gp130-dependent signaling had major impact on acute phase gene (APG) regulation after PH. APG expression was blocked in gp130-DeltaSTAT animals, whereas gp130-DeltaRas mice showed an enhanced APG response and stronger SOCS3 regulation correlating with delayed hepatocyte proliferation. To define the role of SOCS3 during hepatocyte proliferation, primary hepatocytes were co-stimulated with IL-6 and hepatocyte growth factor. Higher SOCS3 expression in gp130-DeltaRas hepatocytes correlated with delayed hepatocyte proliferation. Next, we tested the impact of LPS, mimicking bacterial infection, on liver regeneration. LPS and PH induced SOCS3 and APG in all animal strains and delayed cell cycle progression. Additionally, IL-6/gp130-dependent STAT3 activation in hepatocytes was essential in mediating protection and thus required for maximal proliferation. Unexpectedly, oncostatin M was most strongly induced in gp130-DeltaSTAT animals after PH/LPS-induced stress and was associated with hepatocyte proliferation in this strain. In summary, gp130-dependent STAT3 activation and concomitant SOCS3 during liver regeneration is involved in timing of DNA synthesis and protects hepatocyte proliferation during stress conditions.     

SPINK3: A novel growth factor that promotes rat liver regeneration

Serine peptidase inhibitor, Kazal type 3 (SPINK3) is a trypsin inhibitor, and also a growth factor that has an identical structure to epidermal growth factor (EGF), which could combine with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) to promote cell proliferation. To shed light on the role and regulation mechanism of SPINK3 in rat liver regeneration (LR), Rat Genome 230 2.0 assay was used to detect the expression profiles of LR genes after partial hepatectomy (PH). The results showed that Spink3 was significantly up-regulated at 2–24 h and 72–168 h after PH. In the present study, RT-PCR and immunoblotting were used to validate the assay results. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis 9.0 (IPA) software was used to build the SPINK3 signaling regulating LR and analyze the possible mechanism. And then the expression of cell proliferation-associated gene Ccna2 was examined by RT-PCR in normal rat liver cell line BRL-3A in which Spink3 was overexpressed. The results showed that Ccna2 was significantly up-regulated in BRL-3A in which Spink3 was over-expressed. SPINK3 combining with EGFR accelerated cell proliferation during rat liver regeneration via P38, PKC, JAK-STAT and AKT pathways. Thus, SPINK3 was likely to promote hepatocytes proliferation in LR through P38, PKC, JAK-STAT and AKT pathways.     

PTEN-mediated AKT/β-catenin signaling enhances the proliferation and expansion of Lgr5+ hepatocytes

Rationale: Compelling evidence suggests that Lgr5+ hepatocytes repair liver damage by promoting the regeneration of hepatocytes and ductal cells in the case of liver injury. The PTEN-mediated AKT/β-catenin signaling plays a key role in the regulation of innate immune regulation in the liver. However, the signaling pathways that control Lgr5+ hepatocyte proliferation in the liver remain unclear.Methods: In order to assess the involvement of PTEN-mediated AKT/β-catenin signaling in the expansion of Lgr5+ hepatocytes upon liver injuries, the Lgr5-CreER; Rosa-mTmG lineage tracing system was used to target Lgr5+ hepatocytes.Results: The tracing of Lgr5+ hepatocytes showed that PTEN deletion and β-catenin activation significantly promoted the proliferation of Lgr5+ hepatocytes. In converse, the simultaneous inhibition of PTEN and β-catenin limited Lgr5+ hepatocyte proliferation in the liver. Our findings provide an insight into understanding how PTEN-mediated AKT/β-catenin signaling regulates the proliferation of Lgr5+ hepatocytes.Conclusion: The outcomes can improve the application potential of Lgr5+ hepatocytes in the treatment of liver injury diseases and provide a new treatment option for liver cancer.