Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of the activin betaC subunit accelerates liver regeneration in partially hepatectomized rats.
OBJECTIVE
The expression level of the activin betaC subunit is high in normal liver and reduces after partial hepatectomy, but its function is controversial.


METHODS
To determine the role of the betaC subunit during liver regeneration, we overexpressed the betaC subunit gene in the liver by infusing adenovirus vector encoding the flag-tagged betaC subunit into the portal vein. Adenovirus vector encoding the beta-galactosidase was also infused as a control. Seventy percent hepatectomy was performed 4 days after the infection.


RESULTS
Approximately 20% of hepatocytes expressed the flag-tagged betaC subunit at the time of hepatectomy and approximately 50% of hepatocytes expressed the betaC subunit 3 days after hepatectomy. In betaC-infected liver, bromodeoxyuridine labeling was significantly greater at 24 and 48 h after partial hepatectomy compared with the control liver. Consistent with this observation, the liver regeneration rate was significantly greater in betaC-transfected liver at 72 and 96 h after hepatectomy. Many of the bromodeoxyuridine-positive nuclei were observed in or by the betaC-transfected hepatocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that liver regeneration is accelerated in betaC-overexpressing liver. The betaC subunit may function to promote replication of hepatocytes during liver regeneration.
Wada
Wataru
W
Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi 371-8512, Japan.
Medina
Johan
J
Hasegawa
Yoshihisa
Y
Kuwano
Hiroyuki
H
Kojima
Itaru
I
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D019281:Dimerization; D006498:Hepatectomy; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D028322:Inhibin-beta Subunits / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008115:Liver Regeneration; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
C504188:Inhbc protein, rat; D021122:Protein Subunits; D028322:Inhibin-beta Subunits