Enhancement of adult liver regeneration in mice through the hepsin-mediated epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway.

ABSTRACT: Given the widespread use of partial hepatectomy for treating various liver pathologies, understanding the mechanisms of liver regeneration is vital for enhancing liver resection and transplantation therapies. Here, we demonstrate the critical role of the serine protease Hepsin in promoting hepatocyte hypertrophy and proliferation. Under steady-state conditions, liver-specific overexpression of Hepsin in adult wild-type mice triggers hepatocyte hypertrophy and proliferation, significantly increasing liver size. This effect is predominantly driven by the catalytic activity of Hepsin, engaging the EGFR-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling pathway. Significantly, administering Hepsin substantially enhances hepatocyte proliferation and facilitates liver regeneration following a 70% partial hepatectomy. Crucia

SUBMITTER: Tsai YF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11659619 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature