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Updated: Feb 20, 2026
Visualization of Vascular and Parenchymal Regeneration after 70% Partial Hepatectomy in Normal Mice
Published on: September 13, 2016
Expression of VEGFR-2 during Liver Regeneration after Partial Hepatectomy in a Bioluminescence Mouse Model
Patrick Hamid Alizai1, Lea Bertram2,3, Daniela Kroy4
1Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.
Background:
Liver regeneration requires the formation of new blood vessels. Endothelial cell proliferation is stimulated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor tyrosine kinase VEGFR-2. The aim of this study was to investigate VEGFR-2 expression in vivo during liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PHx).
Methods:
Transgenic VEGFR-2-luc mice were used in which the luciferase reporter gene was under control of the VEGFR-2 promoter. Following 2/3 PHx, the mice underwent in vivo bioluminescence imaging until the 14th postoperative day. Additionally, liver tissue was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, in vitro luminescence assays, and quantitative RT-PCR.
Results:
In vivo bioluminescence imaging showed a significant increase in VEGFR-2 promoter activity after PHx. Maximum signal was recorded on the 3rd day; 8 days postoperatively the signal intensity decreased significantly. On the 14th day, bioluminescence signal reached almost baseline levels. Immunohistochemistry, quantitative RT-PCR, and in vitro luminescence confirmed a significant increase on the 3rd day following resection. The mRNA expression of VEGFR-2 was significantly higher on day 3 than preoperatively as well as on day 8.
Conclusion:
In vivo bioluminescence imaging with transgenic VEGFR-2-luc mice is feasible and provides a convenient model for noninvasively studying VEGFR-2 expression during liver regeneration. This may facilitate further experiments with modulation of angiogenesis by different substances.
