Inhibition of transforming growth factor-β/Smad signaling improves regeneration of small-for-size rat liver grafts

Zhi Zhong, Shigeki Tsukada, Hasibur Rehman, Christopher J. Parsons, Tom P. Theruvath, Richard A. Rippe, David A. Brenner, John J. Lemasters

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a potent inhibitor of cell proliferation. This study investigated whether overexpression of Smad7, which blocks TGF-β-induced activation of Smad2/3, could prevent the suppression of regeneration of small-for-size liver grafts. Rats were intravenously given adenoviruses (2 x 109 pfu/rat) carrying the LacZ gene or the Smad7 gene (Ad-Smad7) 3 days prior to liver harvesting. Half-size livers were implanted into recipients of the same weight or twice the donor weight, and this resulted in half-size or quarter-size liver grafts. Cell proliferation, detected by 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation, increased to 23% in half-size grafts at 38 hours after implantation but was only 4% in quarter-size grafts. Graft weight did not increase after 38 hours in full-size and quarter-size grafts but increased 28% in half-size grafts. Ad-Smad7 restored BrdU labeling to 32%, and the graft weight increased to 43% in quarter-size grafts. Serum total bilirubin increased approximately 30-fold after the implantation of quarter-size grafts. Ad-Smad7 blunted hyperbilirubinemia by 80%. The basal hepatic TGF-β1 level was 7 ng/g of liver wet weight, and this increased to 30 ng/g at 1.5 hours after the transplantation of full-size grafts but decreased rapidly afterwards. After the transplantation of quarter-size grafts, however, TGF-β1 progressively increased to 159 ng/g in 38 hours. Nuclear phosphorylated Smad2/3 was barely detectable, and p21Cip1 expression was negligible in full-size grafts but increased markedly in quarter-size grafts. Ad-Smad7 blocked Smad2/3 activation and expression of p21Cip1. Together, these data show that TGF-β is responsible, at least in part, for the defective liver regeneration in small-for-size grafts by activating the Smad signaling pathway.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)181-190
Number of pages10
JournalLiver Transplantation
Volume16
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2010
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Hepatology
  • Transplantation

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