Involvement of transforming growth factor-β in the expression of gicerin, a cell adhesion molecule, in the regeneration of hepatocytes

Abstract

Abstract. Gicerin, an Ig-superfamily cell adhesion molecule, appears transiently in embryonic tissues including those of the nervous, urogenital, respiratory and digestive systems, and it promotes neurite extension, cell migration and epithelialization through its cell adhesive activities. In addition, gicerin also reappears in regenerating tissue after suffering either a traumatic injury or a viral infection. In the present study, we examined the expression pattern of gicerin in the regeneration of hepatocytes. Immunohistochemically, gicerin protein appeared in the regenerating hepatocytes of carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced acute hepatitis, while it was scarcely expressed in the hepatocytes of normal mouse liver. Real-time PCR revealed the up-regulation of gicerin transcription in the regenerating process of CCl 4 -induced hepatitis. The expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 was also increased during the regeneration. Furthermore, the gicerin mRNA expression increased during the process of an in vitro hepatocyte regeneration model using mouse primary hepatocytes and hepa 1-6 cells. To note, the mRNA levels of gicerin in these cells were enhanced by the presence of TGF-ß1. Collectively, these findings suggest that TGF-ß1 may therefore regulate gicerin expression in hepatocytes leading to liver regeneration by cell-cell or cell-ECM interactions.

S-allylmercaptocysteine reduces carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic oxidative stress and necroinflammation via nuclear factor kappa B-dependent pathways in mice

“…TGF-β 1 is mainly a pro-fibrotic factor in chronic liver disease, e.g., fatty liver disease. However, a recent study also found its role in promoting hepatic remodeling during the process of liver regeneration through increasing the expression of a cell adhesion molecule known as gicerin [38]. In the present study, SAMC potentiated the induced IL-6 and TGF-β 1 expressions after CCl 4 treatment, suggesting the pro-regenerative and the anti-inflammatory properties in SAMC during the early phase of CCl 4 intoxication.…”

Novel immortalized human fetal liver cell line, cBAL111, has the potential to differentiate into functional hepatocytes

“…The 15 day-cultured cBAL111 cells and, for comparison, hepatoblastoma derived HepG2 cells were characterized for three progenitor cell markers by flow cytometry, i.e . CD146, a marker for various cells including mesenchymal progenitor cells and hepatocytes during liver regeneration [ 25 , 26 ], CD326 (EpCAM), an epithelial marker upregulated in gastrointestinal carcinomas [ 27 ] and CD133, a marker for progenitor cells of various origins, like endothelial cells, haematopoietic cells and neural cells [ 28 ]. The cBAL111 cells were positive for CD146, but negative for CD326 (EpCAM) (Fig.…”

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides protect mice liver from carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress and necroinflammation

“…Both TGF-␤ 1 and IL-6 facilitate liver regeneration, the distinct reparative ability of liver against injury (Klein et al, 2005; Tsuchiya et al, 2007). In contrast to the expression of mRNA for inflammatory mediators and chemokines, expression of TGF-␤ 1 and IL-6 was enhanced by pre-treatment of LBP followed by CCl 4 at both transcriptional and translational levels.…”