The role of platelets on regenerating liver: Thoughts beyond parenchymal proliferation.

Abstract

Kirschbaum et al.reported that liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy was lower among patients with thrombocytopenia compared with patients with normal platelet(PLT) count.(1)In addition, PLT influx into the remnant liver was virtually absent in the presence of von Willebrand factor(VWF)antibody, suggesting that VWF release from liver sinusoidal endothelial cells(LSEC)may mediate platelet influx.(1)While the study offered several new insights into the role that platelets may play in liver regeneration, several points warrant further consideration. Future studies will need to define whether the liver regenerative effect of PLT is due to a direct effect on hepatocytes or a whether the effect is mediated or involved with non-parenchymal liver cell activity.(2)While PLT-associated liver regeneration was defined according to an increased liver/body weight ratio and increased ki67-positive cells, further data are need on the function of the remnant liver. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.