Changes in desmosomal proteins during liver regeneration after mouse partial hepatectomy

Desmosomes are adherens‐like junctions present in epithelial cell, which anchor intermediate filaments to membrane‐associated plaques in adjoining cells. Desmosomes also appear to integrate intracellular events to signals that reach the cell surface. Changes in desmosomal constituents are known to occur in cancer progression to effect intracellular signaling and/or cell adhesion. Since desmosomes are implicated in regeneration of the epidermis and in wound healing, we investigated their involvement in the process of liver regeneration (LR). Male adult C57BL/6 mice were subjected to partial hepatectomy (PH) or sham surgery and at least 3 mice were sacrificed at 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14 days after surgery and livers harvested for analysis. Western blots identified a significant increase of desmoplakin protein at 24 hours after PH and not shams surgery. Desmoglein I levels were increased at 48–72 hours while an increase in desmoglein II was observed at 7 days after PH. No changes were observed in γ‐catenin. Thus, noteworthy reorganization of desmosomes is observed during LR especially during the times of peak hepatocyte proliferation. Thus desmosomes may be important in regulating hepatocyte proliferation during LR.