CCL2 affects fat metabolism in liver regeneration by regulating ADRP expression

Abstract

This study aimed to elucidate the effect of chemokine (c-c motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) on fat metabolism in liver regeneration. CCL2 shRNA expression plasmids were constructed and transfected into rats using hydraulic transgenic technology. Transfection efficiency was measured using a fluorescence microscope. We also measured serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to test liver functioning. The weights of regenerative livers were recorded and the liver index was calculated. We used immunohistochemistry to determine the expression of PCNA, and used western blot to measure expression levels of adipose differentiation related protein (ADRP). After transfection of pGenesil-1.0-ccl2 into the liver, expression levels of green fluorescent protein were 35% at 6 h, and the liver index as well as levels of ALT, AST, PCNA, and ADRP were all lower than those in the group that underwent partial hepatectomy. We conclude that CCL2 may affect fat metabolism in liver regeneration by inhibiting the expression of ADRP.