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Updated: Aug 20, 2026
Extended 78% Hepatectomy in a Mouse Surgical Model
Published on: May 24, 2024
Partial hepatectomy induced liver proteome changes in mice
Christoph W Strey1, Mike S Winters, Maciej M Markiewski
1Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Abstract:
Acceleration of liver regeneration could be of great clinical benefit in various liver-associated diseases. However, at present little is known about therapeutic interventions to enhance this regenerative process. Our limited understanding and the complexity of the mechanisms involved have prevented the identification of new targets for treatment. Here we propose a broad-range proteomic approach to this problem that makes possible the simultaneous study of different signaling and metabolic pathways on the liver proteome. Changes in protein expression in mouse livers (n = 5 per group) at 6 h and 12 h after partial hepatectomy and sham operation, as compared to untreated controls, were analyzed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry (MS), and mass fingerprinting. Twelve proteins, identified by MS, were up-regulated by at least 2-fold after partial hepatectomy. These included adipose differentiation-related protein, gamma-actin, enoyl coenzyme A hydratase 1, serum amyloid A and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3. These results indicate that liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy affects various signaling and metabolic pathways.
Insights
This study used proteomics to identify proteins that change during liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice. It found twelve proteins, including adipose differentiation-related protein, were upregulated, suggesting impacts on signaling and metabolism.
Area of Science:
- Proteomics and Molecular Biology
- Hepatology and Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Liver regeneration is crucial for treating liver diseases, but therapeutic strategies are limited.
- Understanding the complex molecular mechanisms of liver regeneration is essential for identifying new therapeutic targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To employ a broad-range proteomic approach to simultaneously analyze signaling and metabolic pathways during liver regeneration.
- To identify key proteins involved in the liver's regenerative process following partial hepatectomy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of protein expression changes in mouse livers at 6 and 12 hours post-partial hepatectomy.
- Utilized two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry (MS) for protein identification and quantification.
- Compared protein expression against sham-operated and untreated control groups.
Main Results:
- Twelve proteins were identified as significantly upregulated (≥ 2-fold) after partial hepatectomy.
- Upregulated proteins include adipose differentiation-related protein, gamma-actin, enoyl coenzyme A hydratase 1, serum amyloid A, and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3.
- These findings indicate that liver regeneration impacts diverse signaling and metabolic pathways.
Conclusions:
- Proteomic analysis provides a comprehensive view of molecular changes during liver regeneration.
- The identified upregulated proteins represent potential targets for therapeutic interventions aimed at enhancing liver repair.
- Partial hepatectomy triggers widespread alterations in liver proteome, affecting multiple cellular processes.
