title: Loss of NF-kappaB activation in Kupffer cell-depleted mice impairs liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy.
abstract: Kupffer cells (KCs) are located in the liver sinusoids adjacent to hepatocytes and are capable of producing important growth-regulating mediators that exert both stimulatory and inhibitory influences on hepatocyte proliferation by paracrine mechanisms. To elucidate the overall effect of KC depletion on liver regeneration, mice were selectively and long-standing depleted of KCs by liposome-encapsulated dichloromethylene diphosphonate. Using in vivo fluorescence microscopy, immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis, and NF-kappaB transcription factor DNA binding activity and cytokine assays, we analyzed livers of KC-depleted and KC-competent mice at days 3, 5, and 8 after partial (i.e., 68%) hepatectomy (PH). Selective KC elimination delayed cell proliferation, as indicated by significantly reduced PCNA and cyclin B1 protein expression in liver tissue at day 3 after PH. This was associated with a lower liver weight at day 8 upon PH. Resection-associated activation of NF-kappaB with translocation into parenchymal and nonparenchymal cell nuclei was diminished in livers of KC-depleted mice, primarily at day 3 after PH. KC-depleted mice further lacked the resection-induced rise in TNF-alpha and IL-6 serum concentrations. These findings imply that KCs play a stimulatory role in liver regeneration, mainly by activating NF-kappaB with influence on the cell cycle and by enhancing expression of the proliferative cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Surgery, Univ. of Rostock, 18055 Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abshagen
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eipel
authors.forename: Jörg C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kalff
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Menger
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vollmar
mesh_terms: D021581:Active Transport, Cell Nucleus; D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D019926:Cyclin B / Q000378:metabolism; D056744:Cyclin B1; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000494:pharmacology; D006498:Hepatectomy; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D007728:Kupffer Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008115:Liver Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D008697:Methane / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D009929:Organ Size; D019899:Paracrine Communication / Q000187:drug effects; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA / Q000378:metabolism*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: C534700:Ccnb1 protein, mouse; D019926:Cyclin B; D056744:Cyclin B1; D004164:Diphosphonates; D015850:Interleukin-6; C118184:LE-Cl2MDP; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; C498144:Rela protein, mouse; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D008697:Methane