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The role of lipocalin‐2 in liver regeneration
Author(s) -
KienzlWagner Katrin,
Moschen Alexander R.,
Geiger Sabine,
Bichler Alexandra,
Aigner Felix,
Brandacher Gerald,
Pratschke Johann,
Tilg Herbert
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
liver international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.873
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1478-3231
pISSN - 1478-3223
DOI - 10.1111/liv.12634
Subject(s) - lipocalin , liver regeneration , regeneration (biology) , biology , hepatectomy , medicine , immune system , endocrinology , immunohistochemistry , immunology , resection , microbiology and biotechnology , surgery
Background & Aims Various immune mediators such as interleukin‐6 ( IL ‐6) have been implicated in the process of liver regeneration. Lipocalin‐2 ( LCN 2) has been recently characterized as a prototypic immune mediator produced by various cell types being involved mainly in host defence. In addition, numerous studies have demonstrated its clinical value as a biomarker. This study aimed at defining the role of LCN 2 in liver regeneration. Methods We studied LCN 2 expression in wild‐type mice in a model of partial hepatectomy ( PH ). Furthermore, we evaluated liver regeneration after PH in LCN ‐deficient mice compared to littermate controls. Serum levels of LCN 2 were assessed in a small group of patients undergoing hepatic resection. Results LCN 2 is dramatically induced in livers and sera of wild‐type mice after PH , whereas liver LCN 2‐receptor expression was decreased. Sham operations did not affect hepatic and serum LCN 2 expression. Although LCN 2‐deficient mice exhibited increased baseline liver expression indices, LCN 2‐deficient mice did not differ from wild‐type mice with respect to hepatic proliferation suggesting that this molecule is not involved in hepatic repair. Only serum IL ‐1β levels were slightly lower in LCN −/− mice, whereas IL ‐6 serum levels did not differ between various tested animal groups. In humans undergoing hepatic resection, LCN 2 levels increased significantly within 24 h following surgery. Conclusions LCN 2, although massively induced in mice after PH , is not relevant in murine hepatic regeneration. Further, human studies have to define whether LCN 2 could evolve as biomarker after liver surgery.