Signals from dying hepatocytes trigger growth of liver progenitors.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The death rate of mature hepatocytes is chronically increased in various liver diseases, triggering responses that prevent liver atrophy, but often cause fibrosis. Mice with targeted disruption of inhibitor kappa B kinase (Ikk) in hepatocytes (HEP mice) provide a model to investigate this process because inhibiting Ikk-nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signalling in hepatocytes increases their apoptosis.

Methods

Cell proliferation, apoptosis, progenitors, fibrosis and production of Hedgehog (Hh) ligands (progenitor and myofibroblast growth factors) were compared in HEP and control mice before and after feeding methionine choline-deficient ethionine-supplemented (MCDE) diets. Ikkbeta was deleted from primary hepatocytes to determine the effects on Hh ligand producti

SUBMITTER: Jung Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3632642 | biostudies-literature | 2010 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature