Hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells promote hepatocyte proliferation early after partial hepatectomy in rats

Background. We undertook this study in rats to investigate the role of hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) in hepatocyte proliferation early after partial hepatectomy and the regulatory mechanisms involved. Methods. The animal model of 70% hepatectomy was made. Hepatic SECs and hepatocytes were isolated and cultured according to the method of Braet et al. with some modifications. Levels of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and hepatic growth factor (HGF) in the supernatants of hepatic SEC cultures were measured, and the expression of HGF mRNA by hepatic SECs was analyzed. The relationship between the supernatants of hepatic SEC cultures and hepatocyte proliferation was probed. 3 H-thymidine incorporation and the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labeling index of hepatocytes were used as signs of hepatocyte proliferation. Results. Levels of NO, IL-6, and HGF in the supernatants of hepatic SECs cultures were increased markedly 6 and 24 h after hepatectomy and then were decreased gradually. The expression of HGF mRNA by cultured SECs was increased markedly 6 and 24 h after hepatectomy, with a peak 6 h after hepatectomy. The PCNA labeling index and 3 H-3-thymidine incorporation of hepatocytes started to increase 6 h after hepatectomy, with a peak at 24 h. Hepatic SECs were isolated from rats 24 h after partial hepatectomy and cultured for 24 h, and the culture supernatants were obtained. The supernatants not only significantly enhanced the PCNA labeling index and 3 H-thymidine incorporation of proliferating hepatocytes isolated from rats after partial hepatectomy but also obviously increased the DNA synthesis of quiescent hepatocytes from the control rats. The extent of hepatocyte proliferation was closely related to the amount of the SEC culture supernatants added in both rats after partial hepatectomy and control rats. Conclusions. These results suggest that cytokines (such as IL-6, HGF and NO) secreted by SECs play important roles in liver regeneration early after partial hepatectomy. We speculate that activated hepatic SECs secrete some substances that induce or trigger liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. (c) 2006 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc.