Dynamic change in expression of LECT2 during liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice

Leukocyte-cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) was first isolated from the culture fluid of phytohemagglutinin-activated human T-cell leukemia SKW-3 cells and was found to be expressed in the human, bovine and murine livers. To further analyze the role of LECT2 in the liver, we investigated the expression of mouse LECT2 (mLECT2) during liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PHx) using immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization techniques. Mouse LECT2 protein and mRNA were detected in most hepatocytes in normal mouse; however, at 30 min after PHx, they were not detected in liver tissue. At 2 h after PHx, expression of mLECT2 protein was seen in hepatocytes surrounding the central vein, although mRNA expression levels were still low. At 6 h after PHx, a marked number of hepatocytes expressing mLECT2 protein and mRNA were seen throughout the liver, and at 12 h after PHx, hepatocytes expressing mLECT2 protein and mRNA further increased in number. However, expression levels of mLECT2 protein and mRNA at 24 h after PHx were significantly lower when compared with levels after 12 h. These results indicate that LECT2 triggers the early events of regeneration with concomitant suppression of hepatocyte proliferation.