Transient von Willebrand factor‐mediated platelet influx stimulates liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice

Abstract

A rapid but transient VWF-dependent platelet influx into the liver remnant drives platelet-mediated liver regeneration.

Perioperative von Willebrand factor dynamics are associated with liver regeneration and predict outcome after liver resection

“…Nevertheless, platelets could be shown to play a central role during liver regeneration, most likely by releasing their cargo to promote cell‐cycle progression and proliferation . Recently, Kirschbaum et al demonstrated that platelet accumulation within the liver to promote liver regeneration is specifically relevant in the very early phase of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice . Within this investigation, we report on human data on vWF‐dependent platelet accumulation during liver regeneration.…”

“…Kirschbaum et al were able to provide solid evidence for a critical relevance of vWF for platelet adhesion within the regenerating liver . Indeed, both blocking vWF through an antibody and knockout of vWF lead to reduced liver regeneration in affected mice.…”

“…During initiation of liver regeneration, platelets and their specific activation seem to be of crucial relevance . In this context, von Willebrand Factor (vWF) has recently been demonstrated to be of central relevance during the early period of liver regeneration by mediating platelet adhesion within the liver after partial hepatecomy in mice . In particular, Kirschbaum et al demonstrated that platelet influx after liver resection (LR) was virtually absent in the presence of a neutralizing antibody against vWF.…”

“…In particular, Kirschbaum et al demonstrated that platelet influx after liver resection (LR) was virtually absent in the presence of a neutralizing antibody against vWF. Furthermore, vWF‐deficient mice showed markedly reduced liver regeneration . However, clinical evidence for this association is still missing.…”

Introduction to a series of reviews on clinical platelet disorders

“…Platelets have now been shown to have roles in immunity, including antimicrobial defense, 1 and in cancer growth and metastasis, [2][3][4] tumor angiogenesis, 5 lymphangiogenesis, 3,6 inflammatory diseases, [7][8][9] wound healing, 10 liver regeneration, 11 and neurodegeneration. 12 Despite these numerous and varied roles of platelets in mammalian physiology and pathology, disorders of platelet number or function in general manifest most clearly as either bleeding or thrombosis.…”