Blood vessel epithelial cells were found to help regenerate the liver after the organ is partially removed by activating a signaling pathway with the complex name VEGRF2-Id1.
The authors of the study are scientists from Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York, and the results of their research are published in the journal Nature. The work has the potential to contribute to the development of new methods of supporting liver regeneration for patients with liver damage.
It has been known for many years that during embryonic development, the cells of the blood vessel epithelium (the so-called endothelium) secrete growth factors that stimulate the development of certain organs. So far, it has not been established whether endothelial cells can be involved in transmitting a signal leading to organ regeneration also in an adult organism.
The authors studied liver regeneration in mice after 70 percent of the liver was removed without damaging the organ’s blood vessels. Researchers have observed that after such surgery, the cells of the blood vessel epithelium (endothelium) of the liver activate a signaling path called VEGFR2-Id1, i.e. they activate proteins responsible for the formation of new blood vessels. Endothelial cells also begin to secrete regulatory factors and growth factors such as Wnt (involved, inter alia, in the formation of organs during embryonic development) and HGF (hepatocyte growth factor), which allows the division and growth of liver cells (hepatocytes) and regeneration of the entire organ.
The authors of the study emphasize that their research proves that endothelial cells are not only passive epithelium needed for the transport of nutrients and oxygen, but also actively participate in the formation of new and repair of damaged organs. In their opinion, transplanting endothelial cells together with hepatocytes may be an effective way to improve the regenerative capacity of the liver. (PAP)