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Semin Liver Dis 2017; 37(02): 141-151
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1601351
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA

Update on the Mechanisms of Liver Regeneration

Morgan E. Preziosi
1   Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2   Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
,
Satdarshan P. Monga
1   Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2   Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
3   Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 May 2017 (online)

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Abstract

Liver possesses many critical functions such as synthesis, detoxification, and metabolism. It continually receives nutrient-rich blood from gut, which incidentally is also toxin-rich. That may be why liver is uniquely bestowed with a capacity to regenerate. A commonly studied procedure to understand the cellular and molecular basis of liver regeneration is that of surgical resection. Removal of two-thirds of the liver in rodents or patients instigates alterations in hepatic homeostasis, which are sensed by the deficient organ to drive the restoration process. Although the exact mechanisms that initiate regeneration are unknown, alterations in hemodynamics and metabolism have been suspected as important effectors. Key signaling pathways are activated that drive cell proliferation in various hepatic cell types through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. Once the prehepatectomy mass is regained, the process of regeneration is adequately terminated. This review highlights recent discoveries in the cellular and molecular basis of liver regeneration.

Keywords

partial hepatectomy - cellular and molecular basis - hepatocyte proliferation - inflammation - stellate cells - endothelial cells - initiation - signaling pathways - hepatocytes - nonparenchymal cells
 

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