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Rapamycin inhibits cholangiocyte regeneration by blocking interleukin‐6–induced activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 after liver transplantation
Author(s) -
Chen LiPing,
Zhang QiHao,
Chen Geng,
Qian YeYong,
Shi BingYi,
Dong JiaHong
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
liver transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.814
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1527-6473
pISSN - 1527-6465
DOI - 10.1002/lt.21985
Subject(s) - cholangiocyte , stat3 , stat protein , liver transplantation , medicine , transplantation , liver regeneration , cancer research , bile duct , signal transduction , microbiology and biotechnology , regeneration (biology) , biology
Cholangiocyte proliferation is necessary for biliary recovery from cold ischemia and reperfusion injury (CIRI), but there are few studies on its intracellular mechanism. In this process, the role of rapamycin, a new immunosuppressant used in liver transplantation, is still unknown. In order to determine whether rapamycin can depress cholangiocyte regeneration by inhibiting signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation, rapamycin (0.05 mg/kg) was administered to rats for 3 days before orthotopic liver transplantation. The results indicated that cholangiocytes responded to extended cold preservation (12 hours) with severe bile duct injures, marked activation of the interleukin‐6 (IL‐6)/STAT3 signal pathway, and increased expression of cyclin D1 until 7 days after transplantation, and this was followed by compensatory cholangiocyte regeneration. However, rapamycin treatment inhibited STAT3 activation and resulted in decreased cholangiocyte proliferation and delayed biliary recovery after liver transplantation. On the other hand, rapamycin showed no effect on the expression of IL‐6. We conclude that the IL‐6/STAT3 signal pathway is involved in initiating cholangiocytes to regenerate and repair CIRI. Rapamycin represses cholangiocyte regeneration by inhibiting STAT3 activation, which might have a negative effect on the healing and recovery of bile ducts in grafts with extended cold preservation. Insights gained from this study will be helpful in designing therapy using rapamycin in clinical patients after liver transplantation. Liver Transpl, 2010. © 2010 AASLD.