Hepatocyte Cell Cycle Research Articles

Effect of hepatitis B virus X protein on the cell cycle of primary mouse hepatocytes

To investigate the effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (HBx) on host cell cycle and HBV replication using cultured primary mouse hepatocytes to gain further insights into the mechanism of HBx-mediated modulation of cell cycle. Primary cultured mouse hepatocytes were transfected with HBx-expressing (pHBV) or HBx-selected (pHBV triangle X) plasmids, which were generated with sequences of the HBV ayw subtype 1.2 and included the green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene. The levels of cell cycle proteins (p16, cyclin D1, p21, cyclin E and cyclin A) were measured with Western blotting, and HBV DNA was analyzed by Southern blotting and real-time PCR. The freshly isolated hepatocytes showed no significant differences in levels of cell cycle proteins. However, at 48 hours post-transfection, the levels of cyclin D1, p21 and cyclin E were significantly higher and the level of p16 was significantly lower in the pHBV-transfected hepatocytes than in the pHBV triangle X-transfected hepatocytes (t = 15.713, 22.897, 14.680, and -19.584, respectively, P less than 0.05). The level of cyclin A was not different between the two groups (t = 0.142, P more than 0.05). At 72 hours post-transfection, the level of HBV DNA was higher in pHBV-transfected hepatocytes (rcDNA: 3288.336+/-448.011; dslDNA: 6458.318+/-182.163; ssDNA: 2760.613+/-393.561) than in pHBV triangle X-transfected hepatocytes (rcDNA: 515.721+/-62.530; dslDNA: 2122.228+/-28.347; ssDNA: 1632.013+/-207.021) and in the blank (untransfected) control group (P less than 0.05). Real-time PCR analysis of HBV DNA copy number per cell confirmed these results, (pHBV-transfected: 987.50+/-47.80 vs. pHBV triangle X-transfected: 303.67+/-33.94; t = 20.203, P less than 0.05). The HBx protein can affect the levels of cell cycle proteins, which may induce quiescent hepatocytes to enter the G1 phase of the cell cycle and stay in this phase instead of entering the S phase, thereby promoting HBV intracellular replication.

Comparative study of toxicological and cell cycle effects of okadaic acid and dinophysistoxin-2 in primary rat hepatocytes

AimsTo determine the relative toxicity and effects on the cell cycle of okadaic acid and dinophysistoxin-2 in primary hepatocyte cultures. Main methodsCytotoxicity was determined by the MTT method, caspase-3 activity and lactate dehydrogenase release to the medium. The cell cycle analysis was performed by imaging flow cytometry and the effect of the toxins on cell proliferation was studied by quantitative PCR and confocal microscopy. Key findingsWe show that dinophysistoxin-2 is less toxic than okadaic acid for primary hepatocytes with a similar difference in potency as that observed in vivo in mice after intraperitoneal injection. Both toxins induced apoptosis with caspase-3 increase. They also inhibited the hepatocytes cell cycle in G1 affecting diploid cells and diploid bi-nucleated cells. In proliferating hepatocytes exposed to the toxins, a decrease of p53 gene expression as well as a lower protein level was detected. Studies of the tubulin cytoskeleton in toxin treated cells, showed nuclear localization of this molecule and a granulated tubulin pattern in the cytoplasm. SignificanceThe results presented in this work show that the difference in toxicity between dinophysistoxin-2 and okadaic acid in cultured primary hepatocytes is the same as that observed in vivo after intraperitoneal injection. Okadaic acid and dinophysistoxin-2 arrest the cell cycle of hepatocytes at G1 even in diploid bi-nucleated cells. p53 and tubulin could be involved in the cell cycle inhibitory effect.

Cyclin D1 inhibits hepatic lipogenesis via repression of carbohydrate response element binding protein and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α

Following acute hepatic injury, the metabolic capacity of the liver is altered during the process of compensatory hepatocyte proliferation by undefined mechanisms. In this study, we examined the regulation of de novo lipogenesis by cyclin D1, a key mediator of hepatocyte cell cycle progression. In primary hepatocytes, cyclin D1 significantly impaired lipogenesis in response to glucose stimulation. Cyclin D1 inhibited the glucose-mediated induction of key lipogenic genes, and similar effects were seen using a mutant (D1-KE) that does not activate cdk4 or induce cell cycle progression. Cyclin D1 (but not D1-KE) inhibited the activity of the carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP) by regulating the glucose-sensing motif of this transcription factor. Because changes in ChREBP activity could not fully explain the effect of cyclin D1, we examined hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α), which regulates numerous differentiated functions in the liver including lipid metabolism. We found that both cyclins D1 and D1-KE bound to HNF4α and significantly inhibited its recruitment to the promoter region of lipogenic genes in hepatocytes. Conversely, knockdown of cyclin D1 in the AML12 hepatocyte cell line promoted HNF4α activity and lipogenesis. In mouse liver, HNF4α bound to a central domain of cyclin D1 involved in transcriptional repression. Cyclin D1 inhibited lipogenic gene expression in the liver following carbohydrate feeding. Similar findings were observed in the setting of physiologic cyclin D1 expression in the regenerating liver. In conclusion, these studies demonstrate that cyclin D1 represses ChREBP and HNF4α function in hepatocytes via Cdk4-dependent and -independent mechanisms. These findings provide a direct link between the cell cycle machinery and the transcriptional control of metabolic function of the liver.

Regulation of the Hepatocyte Cell Cycle: Signaling Pathways and Protein Kinases

The adult liver exhibits the remarkable ability to “regenerate” following surgical resection or toxic liver injuries. In normal liver restoration of hepatic tissue homeostasis occurs through rapid and partially synchronous proliferation of adult mature hepatocytes. The hepatocytes expressing the liver-specific functions responsible for the crucial hepatic metabolic pathways are quiescent cells that keep the ability to reenter the cell cycle. The fact that liver regeneration is supported by the active proliferation of highly differentiated hepatocytes rather than an expansion of progenitor cells is a unique situation among adult solid tissues. The hepatocytes, which exit quiescence and proliferate for a limited number of divisions present specific proliferation signaling pathways and a peculiar cell cycle regulation. In addition, polyploidy is another characteristic feature of mammalian adult hepatocytes that contributes to the specific molecular mechanisms underlying the cell cycle in hepatocytes. The entry into and progression through G1 phase of the cell cycle are orchestrated by complex networks of extracellular stimuli and intracellular signaling pathways inducing profound modifications of the gene expression required for the exit from quiescence and the cell cycle completion of the differentiated hepatocytes. Several lines of evidences also indicate that cell cycle regulators such as the Cyclin Dependent protein Kinases (CDKs) and their functional partners the cyclins and CDK inhibitors (CDKIs) show specific expression and/or activation patterns compared to the cell cycle in others cell types.

Calcium signalling and liver regeneration.

After partial hepatectomy (PH) the initial mass of the organ is restored through a complex network of cellular interactions that orchestrate both proliferative and hepatoprotective signalling cascades. Among agonists involved in this network many of them drive Ca2+ movements. During liver regeneration in the rat, hepatocyte cytosolic Ca2+ signalling has been shown on the one hand to be deeply remodelled and on the other hand to enhance progression of hepatocytes through the cell cycle. Mechanisms through which cytosolic Ca2+ signals impact on hepatocyte cell cycle early after PH are not completely understood, but at least they include regulation of immediate early gene transcription and ERK and CREB phosphorylation. In addition to cytosolic Ca2+, there is also evidence that mitochondrial Ca2+ and also nuclear Ca2+ may be critical for the regulation of liver regeneration. Finally, Ca2+ movements in hepatocytes, and possibly in other liver cells, not only impact hepatocyte progression in the cell cycle but more generally may regulate cellular homeostasis after PH.

Regulation of the g1/s transition in hepatocytes: involvement of the cyclin-dependent kinase cdk1 in the DNA replication.

A singular feature of adult differentiated hepatocytes is their capacity to proliferate allowing liver regeneration. This review emphasizes the literature published over the last 20 years that established the most important pathways regulating the hepatocyte cell cycle. Our article also aimed at illustrating that many discoveries in this field benefited from the combined use of in vivo models of liver regeneration and in vitro models of primary cultures of human and rodent hepatocytes. Using these models, our laboratory has contributed to decipher the different steps of the progression into the G1 phase and the commitment to S phase of proliferating hepatocytes. We identified the mitogen dependent restriction point located at the two-thirds of the G1 phase and the concomitant expression and activation of both Cdk1 and Cdk2 at the G1/S transition. Furthermore, we demonstrated that these two Cdks contribute to the DNA replication. Finally, we provided strong evidences that Cdk1 expression and activation is correlated to extracellular matrix degradation upon stimulation by the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα leading to the identification of a new signaling pathway regulating Cdk1 expression at the G1/S transition. It also further confirms the well-orchestrated regulation of liver regeneration via multiple extracellular signals and pathways.

Embryonic liver fodrin involved in hepatic stellate cell activation and formation of regenerative nodule in liver cirrhosis

Transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 plays a critical role in liver fibrosis. Previous studies demonstrated embryonic liver fodrin (ELF), a β-spectrin was involved in TGF-β/Smad signalling pathway as Smad3/4 adaptor. Here we investigate the role of ELF in pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis. In carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced mice model of liver cirrhosis, ELF is up-regulated in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and down-regulated in regenerative hepatocytes of cirrhotic nodules. In activated HSCs in vitro, reduction of ELF expression mediated by siRNA leads to the inhibition of HSC activation and procollagen I expression. BrdU assay demonstrates that down-regulation of ELF expression does not inhibit proliferation of activated HSCs in vitro. Immunostaining of cytokeratin 19 and Ki67 indicates that regenerative hepatocytes in cirrhotic liver are derived from hepatic progenitor cells (HPC). Further study reveals that HPC expansion occurs as an initial phase, before the reduction of ELF expression in regenerative hepatocytes. Regenerative hepatocytes in cirrhotic liver show the change in proliferative activity and expression pattern of proteins involved in G1/S transition, which suggests the deregulation of cell cycle in regenerative hepatocytes. Finally, we find that ELF participates in TGF-β/Smad signal in activated HSCs and hepatocytes through regulating the localization of Smad3/4. These data reveal that ELF is involved in HSC activation and the formation of regenerative nodules derived from HPC in cirrhotic liver.

The knock-down of ERCC1 but not of XPF causes multinucleation

Excision repair cross complementing gene 1 (ERCC1) associated with xeroderma pigmentosum group F (XPF) is a heterodimeric endonuclease historically involved in the excision of bulky helix-distorting DNA lesions during nucleotide excision repair (NER) but also in the repair of DNA interstrand crosslinks. ERCC1 deficient mice show severe growth retardation associated with premature replicative senescence leading to liver failure and death at four weeks of age. In humans, ERCC1 is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma and in the late G1 phase of hepatocyte cell cycle. To investigate whether ERCC1 could be involved in human hepatocyte cell growth and cell cycle progression, we knocked-down ERCC1 expression in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Huh7 by RNA interference. ERCC1 knocked-down cells were delayed in their cell cycle and became multinucleated. This phenotype was rescued by ERCC1 overexpression. Multinucleation was not liver specific since it also occurred in HeLa and in human fibroblasts knocked-down for ERCC1. Multinucleated cells arose after drastic defects leading to flawed metaphase and cytokinesis. Interestingly, multinucleation did not appear after knocking-down other NER enzymes such as XPC and XPF, suggesting that NER deficiency was not responsible for multinucleation. Moreover, XPF mutant human fibroblasts formed multinucleated cells after ERCC1 knock-down but not after XPF knock-down. Therefore our results seem consistent with ERCC1 being involved in multinucleation but not XPF. This work reveals a new role for ERCC1 distinct from its known function in DNA repair, which may be independent of XPF. The role for ERCC1 in mitotic progression may be critical during development, particularly in humans.

S6 kinase 1 is required for rapamycin-sensitive liver proliferation after mouse hepatectomy

Rapamycin is an antibiotic inhibiting eukaryotic cell growth and proliferation by acting on target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase. Mammalian TOR (mTOR) is thought to work through 2 independent complexes to regulate cell size and cell replication, and these 2 complexes show differential sensitivity to rapamycin. Here we combine functional genetics and pharmacological treatments to analyze rapamycin-sensitive mTOR substrates that are involved in cell proliferation and tissue regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice. After hepatectomy, hepatocytes proliferated rapidly, correlating with increased S6 kinase phosphorylation, while treatment with rapamycin derivatives impaired regeneration and blocked S6 kinase activation. In addition, genetic deletion of S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) caused a delay in S phase entry in hepatocytes after hepatectomy. The proliferative defect of S6K1-deficient hepatocytes was cell autonomous, as it was also observed in primary cultures and hepatic overexpression of S6K1-rescued proliferation. We found that S6K1 controlled steady-state levels of cyclin D1 (Ccnd1) mRNA in liver, and cyclin D1 expression was required to promote hepatocyte cell cycle. Notably, in vivo overexpression of cyclin D1 was sufficient to restore the proliferative capacity of S6K-null livers. The identification of an S6K1-dependent mechanism participating in cell proliferation in vivo may be relevant for cancer cells displaying high mTOR complex 1 activity and cyclin D1 accumulation.

Genomewide microRNA down-regulation as a negative feedback mechanism in the early phases of liver regeneration

The liver is one of the few organs that have the capacity to regenerate in response to injury. We carried out genomewide microRNA (miRNA) microarray studies during liver regeneration in rats after 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) at early and mid time points to more thoroughly understand their role. At 3, 12, and 18 hours post-PH ∼40% of the miRNAs tested were up-regulated. Conversely, at 24 hours post-PH, ∼70% of miRNAs were down-regulated. Furthermore, we established that the genomewide down-regulation of miRNA expression at 24 hours was also correlated with decreased expression of genes, such as Rnasen, Dgcr8, Dicer, Tarbp2, and Prkra, associated with miRNA biogenesis. To determine whether a potential negative feedback loop between miRNAs and their regulatory genes exists, 11 candidate miRNAs predicted to target the above-mentioned genes were examined and found to be up-regulated at 3 hours post-PH. Using reporter and functional assays, we determined that expression of these miRNA-processing genes could be regulated by a subset of miRNAs and that some miRNAs could target multiple miRNA biogenesis genes simultaneously. We also demonstrated that overexpression of these miRNAs inhibited cell proliferation and modulated cell cycle in both Huh-7 human hepatoma cells and primary rat hepatocytes. From these observations, we postulated that selective up-regulation of miRNAs in the early phase after PH was involved in the priming and commitment to liver regeneration, whereas the subsequent genomewide down-regulation of miRNAs was required for efficient recovery of liver cell mass. Our data suggest that miRNA changes are regulated by negative feedback loops between miRNAs and their regulatory genes that may play an important role in the steady-state regulation of liver regeneration.

G1 cell cycle arrest signaling in hepatic injury after intraperitoneal sepsis in rats

Hepatocytes emerge from a quiescent state into a proliferative state to recover from septic injury. We hypothesize that hepatocyte cell cycle regulation after sepsis potentially contributes to the recovery of liver function. An animal model of sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in rats. At serial time points after CLP, hepatocyte expression of p21, P53, cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK2, CDK4 and PCNA was determined by immunoblot analysis, and the DNA content of isolated hepatocytes was analyzed using flow cytometry. Sepsis-induced liver injury of rats was associated with G1 cell cycle arrest. Recovery of liver function was related to cell cycle progression 48h after CLP. The upregulation of p53 and p21 correlated with G1 cell arrest 48h after CLP. The upregulation of cyclin D1/CDK4 and cyclin E/CDK2 also correlated with the G1/S transition 48h after CLP, resulting in PCNA expression. The data suggests that G1 cell cycle arrest and p53, p21, CDKs, cyclins and PCNA expression may be involved in the injury/recovery of liver function after intraperitoneal sepsis.

Loss of transforming growth factor β adaptor protein β-2 spectrin leads to delayed liver regeneration in mice

Liver regeneration, following partial hepatectomy (PHx), occurs through precisely controlled and synchronized cell proliferation, in which quiescent hepatocytes undergo one to two rounds of replication, with restoration of liver mass and function. We previously demonstrated that loss of the Smad3/4 adaptor protein β-2 spectrin (β2SP) is associated with faster entry into S phase, and hepatocellular cancer formation. These observations led us to further pursue the role of β2SP in cell cycle progression in vivo. Liver regeneration studies with PHx in β2SP(+/-) mice reveal a surprising and significant decrease in liver/body weight ratio at 48 hours after PHx in β2SP(+/-) mice in comparison to wildtype mice. At 48 hours after PHx we also observe decreased levels of cyclin E (2.4-fold, P < 0.05), Cdk1 (7.2-fold, P < 0.05), cyclin A, pRb (Ser249/Thr252), proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin D1 with elevated levels of pCdk1 (Thr14) (3.6-fold, P < 0.05). Strikingly, at 24 hours elevated levels of p53 (4-fold, P < 0.05), phospho-p53 (ser15 and ser20), and p21 (200-fold, P < 0.05) persisting to 48 hours after PHx further correlated with raised expression of the DNA damage markers pChk2 (Thr68) and γH2AX (S139). However, compromised cell cycle progression with loss of β2SP is not rescued by inhibiting p53 function, and that G(2) /M phase arrest observed is independent and upstream of p53. β2SP deficiency results in dysfunctional hepatocyte cell cycle progression and delayed liver regeneration at 48 hours after PHx, which is p53-independent. β2SP loss may increase susceptibility to DNA damage, impair cell cycle progression, and ultimately lead to hepatocellular cancer.

Abstract 2411: Hurp deficiency causes mitotic infidelity and impairs liver regeneration in mice

Abstract Aberrant expression of hepatoma up-regulated protein, HURP, was found in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recent studies revealed that HURP is an essential factor during mitosis. However, the function of HURP in an in vivo context has not been well studied. In this study, we have concentrated our efforts on the pathological effects of Hurp deficiency during liver regeneration. We generated Hurp knockout (KO) mice to investigate the function of Hurp involved in hepatocyte cell cycle progression; we used the in vivo model of two-third partial-hepatectomy (PH) to induce synchronous cell cycle entry in liver. Our results revealed striking phenotypes of mitotic errors and chromosome instability in the Hurp KO livers. These phenotypes include impaired cell cycle progression as revealed by delayed entry of S-phase and M-phase of hepatocytes post-PH; mitotic infidelity as revealed by lagging chromosomes, multi-polar segregation and unequal segregation; aberrant nuclei of micro-nucleus, multi-nucleus and atypical nuclear morphology were frequently observed in the Hurp KO livers. Mechanistically, these abnormalities caused by Hurp deficiency did not turn on the spindle checkpoint machinery, such as BubR1 and Mad2, but up-regulated p21 expression to delay the cell cycle progression in liver. As an evidence of chronic liver damage, we observed continuously elevated serum ALT levels in Hurp KO mice post-PH. Together, these phenotypes in liver indicated that Hurp deficiency interferes spindle checkpoint (directly or indirectly), leading to mitotic infidelities, and possibly causes DNA breakage during chromatin segregation; this DNA breakage can further induce p21 to delay cell cycle during liver regeneration which is accompanying by chronic liver damages. All of these abnormalities may further lead to enhanced carcinogenesis in liver, which is currently under investigation. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2411. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2411

Monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)‐1 is not required for Kupffer cell activation after partial hepatectomy

Compensatory liver regeneration requires the coordinated expression of soluble mediators produced by nonparenchymal cells. After 70% partial hepatectomy (PH), activated Kupffer cells produce cytokines that facilitate hepatocyte cell cycle progression in the remnant liver. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1 or CCL2) is a chemokine produced following a variety of stimuli. Kupffer cells express the MCP-1 receptor, CCR2, and are activated and/or recruited by MCP-1 in several model systems. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that MCP-1 activates Kupffer cells during PH-induced liver regeneration. C57Bl/6 (wild-type) mice and MCP-1 knockout (KO) mice were subjected to PH and pulsed with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) 2 hr prior to euthanasia, at which time plasma and remnant liver tissue were collected. In wild-type mice, MCP-1 levels increased 6–12 hr after PH. The number of CCR2+ and F4/80+ hepatic mononuclear cells was similar in wild-type and MCP-1 KO mice. Furthermore, no changes were detected in levels of TNFα, IL-6, and phosphorylated Stat-3. Finally, BrdU labeling revealed similar proliferation indices in wild-type and MCP-1 KO mice. These results suggest that MCP-1 is not required for Kupffer cell activation following PH. It is possible that other macrophage-activating chemokines compensate for the absence of MCP-1. Supported by NIH grants R15DK088749, P20RR016454 and UL1RR025014.

Tangeretin and its metabolite 4′‐hydroxytetramethoxyflavone attenuate EGF‐stimulated cell cycle progression in hepatocytes; role of inhibition at the level of mTOR/p70S6K

The mechanisms by which the dietary compound tangeretin has anticancer effects may include acting as a prodrug, forming an antiproliferative product in cancer cells. Here we show that tangeretin also inhibits cell cycle progression in hepatocytes and investigate the role of its primary metabolite 4'-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetramethoxyflavone (4'-OH-TMF) in this effect. We used epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated rat hepatocytes, with [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA as an index of progression to S-phase of the cell cycle, and Western blots for phospho-proteins involved in the cell signalling cascade. Incubation of tangeretin with microsomes expressing CYP1A, or with hepatocytes, generated a primary product we identified as 4'-OH-TMF. Low micromolar concentrations of tangeretin or 4'-OH-TMF gave a concentration-dependent inhibition of EGF-stimulated progression to S-phase while having little effect on cell viability. To determine whether time for conversion of tangeretin to an active metabolite would enhance the inhibitory effect we used long pre-incubations; this reduced the inhibitory effect, in parallel with a reduction in the concentration of tangeretin. The EGF-stimulation of hepatocyte cell cycle progression requires signalling through Akt/mTOR/p70S6K kinase cascades. The tangeretin metabolite 4'-OH-TMF selectively inhibited S6K phosphorylation in the absence of significant inhibition of upstream Akt activity, suggesting an effect at the level of mTOR. Tangeretin and 4'-OH-TMF both inhibit cell cycle progression in primary hepatocytes. The inhibition of p70S6K phosphorylation by 4'-OH-TMF raises the possibility that inhibition of the mTOR pathway may contribute to the anticancer influence of a flavonoid-rich diet.

Regulation of hepatocyte fate by interferon-γ

Interferon (IFN)-γ is a cytokine known for its immunomodulatory and anti-proliferative action. In the liver, IFN-γ can induce hepatocyte apoptosis or inhibit hepatocyte cell cycle progression. This article reviews recent mechanistic reports that describe how IFN-γ may direct the fate of hepatocytes either towards apoptosis or a cell cycle arrest. This review also describes a probable role for IFN-γ in modulating hepatocyte fate during liver regeneration, transplantation, hepatitis, fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and highlights promising areas of research that may lead to the development of IFN-γ as a therapy to enhance recovery from liver disease.

Inactivation of p38 MAPK during liver regeneration

There is increasing evidence that p38 MAPK, which is classified as a stress-activated kinase, also participates in cell cycle regulation, functioning as a suppressor of cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. We conducted a study of p38 MAPK phosphorylation during liver regeneration in mice to determine whether p38 MAPK activation or inactivation may correlate with events that lead to DNA replication after partial hepatectomy (PH), and whether p38 MAPK activation may be required for hepatocyte DNA replication in vivo and in culture. We report that active p38 (Pi-p38 MAPK) is present in normal liver, is rapidly inactivated starting 30 min after PH, and is re-activated by 12 h. Although levels of Pi-MKK 3/6, the upstream kinases that activate p38 MAPK increase after PH, the expression of the dual protein phosphatase 1 is also elevated, and may be responsible for Pi-p38 MAPK dephosphorylation after PH. Inactivation and re-activation of p38 MAPK inversely correlates with the stimulation of protein synthesis and translation pathways, as indicated by activation of p70S6 kinase, increases in the phosphorylation of initiation factor elF-4E and translational repressor, 4E-BP. The activity of a p38 MAPK downstream substrate, MAPKAPK2 (MK2), did not reflect the changing levels of Pi-p38 MAPK during liver regeneration. Pi-p38 MAPK may be involved in TNF-stimulated DNA replication of murine hepatocytes in culture, but is not necessary for hepatocyte DNA replication after PH. Our results suggest that p38 MAPK inactivation plays a permissible role in DNA replication during liver regeneration and is consistent with a role for p38 MAPK in the maintenance of hepatocyte cell cycle arrest in adult liver.

The activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor synergizes mitogen-induced murine liver hyperplasia

Mechanisms of hepatocyte proliferation triggered by tissue loss are distinguishable from those that promote proliferation in the intact liver in response to mitogens. Previous studies demonstrate that exogenous activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a soluble ligand-activated transcription factor in the basic helix–loop–helix family of proteins, suppresses compensatory liver regeneration elicited by surgical partial hepatectomy. The goal of the present study was to determine how AhR activation modulates hepatocyte cell cycle progression in the intact liver following treatment with the hepatomitogen, 1,4-bis[2-(3,5-dichloropyridyloxy)] benzene (TCPOBOP). Mice were pretreated with the exogenous AhR agonist 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p-dioxin (TCDD) 24 h prior to treatment with TCPOBOP (3 mg/kg).). In contrast to the suppressive effects of AhR activation observed during compensatory regeneration, TCDD pretreatment resulted in a 30–50% increase in hepatocyte proliferation in the intact liver of TCPOBOP-treated mice. Although pretreatment with TCDD suppressed CDK2 kinase activity and increased the association of CDK2 with negative regulatory proteins p21Cip1 and p27Kip1, a corresponding increase in CDK4/cyclin D1 association and CDK4 activity which culminated in enhanced phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein, consistent with the increased proliferative response. These findings are in stark contrast to previous observations that the activated AhR can suppress hepatocyte proliferation in vivo and reveal a new complexity to AhR-mediated cell cycle control.

P21/Wafl/Cipl cellular expression in chronic long-lasting hepatitis C: correlation with HCV proteins (C, NS3, NS5A), other cell-cycle related proteins and selected clinical data.

Studies indicate that proteins of hepatitis C virus (HCV) disturb expression of cell-cycle-related proteins. A disturbed cell-cycle control is a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk factor in patients with HCV-related liver damage. The present study aimed to analyse the cellular expression of p21/Wafl/Cipl (p21) in long-lasting chronic hepatitis C (CH-C), its correlation with the key oncogenic HCV proteins (C, NS3, NS5A), other cell-cycle-related proteins (PCNA, Ki-67, cyclin D1, p53) and selected clinical data. Archival liver biopsies, obtained from patients with CH-C, normal livers, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) specimens were analysed by immunocytochemistry and ImmunoMax technique. In CH-C overexpression of p21 protein was demonstrated. Positive correlations of p21 protein expression in CH-C involved age of the patients, grading, and liver steatosis. Moreover, expression of p21 correlated significantly with expression of p53 protein, of D1 cyclin and Ki-67. Although Ki-67 antigen was related to p21 expression, only Ki-67 expression proved to be directly related to liver staging. Expression of the NS3 protein, which prevailed in CH-C patients, manifested correlation with p21 expression, and that of cyclin D1. In presence of preserved potential for regeneration, overexpression of p21 indicates inhibition of cell cycle in hepatocytes, which probably plays a protective role for the chronically damaged cells. Out of the three HCV proteins only NS3 seems to affect control of p21 protein expression in in vivo infection. Nevertheless, the studies indicate that neither expression of p21 protein nor that of viral NS3 protein can serve as a marker of progression of CH-C to HCC in vivo.

Protective effect of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural derived from processed Fructus Corni on human hepatocyte LO2 injured by hydrogen peroxide and its mechanism

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the putative protective effect of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) derived from processed Fructus Corni on human hepatocyte cell line (LO2) injured by hydrogen peroxide in vitro and the mechanism of its protection. The percentage of cell viability was evaluated by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The hepatocyte cell apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometric analysis. The content of nitric oxide and caspase-3 activity were quantified spectrophotometrically by enzyme-linked immunoassay. The study showed that incubation with 5-HMF caused significant increase in the viability of LO2 cell, decrease of cell apoptosis and recovery of cell cycle in LO2 cell injured by hydrogen peroxide, which was accompanied with the decreased nitric oxide level and caspase-3 activity. Our data suggest that 5-HMF protects LO2 cell against damage induced by hydrogen peroxide through inhibiting effect of cell apoptosis caused by promoting S phase to G2/M phase and the decreased caspase-3 activity and nitric oxide level. 5-HMF is one of the active principles in processed Fructus Corni.