Nuclear VEGFR-2 expression of hepatocytes is involved in hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration during chronic liver injury

  • A. Rang Lee
  • , Su Min Baek
  • , Seoung Woo Lee
  • , Tae Un Kim
  • , Jee Eun Han
  • , Seulgi Bae
  • , Sang Joon Park
  • , Tae Hwan Kim
  • , Kyu Shik Jeong
  • , Seong Kyoon Choi
  • , Jin Kyu Park

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background/Aim: The pathological role of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) in chronic liver injury and liver regeneration is not fully understood. This study analysed the role of VEGFR-2 in liver fibrosis and its regeneration process. Materials and Methods: We administered intraperitoneally 50 mg/kg to 300 mg/kg thioacetamide (TAA) to 9-week-old male mice for 17 weeks. We measured levels of VEGFR-2 protein and identified the location of cells that specifically express VEGFR-2. Results: VEGFR-2 is rarely expressed in normal hepatocytes. However, high VEGFR-2 expression in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells was noted in the TAA group. Conversely, the group that experienced regeneration from liver fibrosis showed significantly higher VEGFR-2 expression in the nucleus of hepatocytes compared to the other groups. Conclusion: VEGFR-2 plays a pivotal role in the nucleus of hepatocytes during liver regeneration and VEGFR-2 may be closely related to cell division. Therefore, VEGFR-2 may be a new therapeutic target for liver regeneration.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1473-1483
Number of pages11
JournalIn Vivo
Volume35
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 International Institute of Anticancer Research. All rights reserved.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

  • Cell proliferation
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Intracellular location
  • Liver regeneration
  • VEGFR-2

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