Analysis of time-course gene expression profiles of sinusoidal endothelial cells during liver regeneration in rats.

Liver regeneration (LR) after partial hepatectomy (PH) requires the coordinate contribution of different cell types. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), representing the largest population of nonparenchymal cells, are proven to be crucial in LR. However, the details about their implications in regeneration are not still clear. In this study, percoll density centrifugation and immunomagentic bead methods were used to isolate LSECs with high purity and yield; global transcriptional profiles of LSECs during the regeneration were investigated by microarray. 1,629 genes were identified to be LR-related. Among them, there were 833 known genes whose expression patterns were clustered into eight classes. Gene function enrichment analysis showed that genes involved in the major LSEC functions, i.e., coagulation, phagocytosis, and transport, were highly enriched in cluster characterized by rapid induction and gradual return, suggesting the quick reestablishment of LSEC function after PH. Genes in immunity/inflammation and defense response were enriched in clusters exhibiting transient downregulation and quick recovery, possibly being associated with suppression of immunity/inflammation pathway in LSECs at early phase. Genes in glycogen synthesis and glycolysis were enriched in the clusters marked by "significant increase and gradual return" and "slight increase and then downregulation", implying an enhanced carbohydrate metabolism at early phase; detoxification-related genes were markedly distributed in the cluster with feature of rapid increase and then reduction, which was helpful in eliminating waste substance. Taken together, the measurement of gene expression profiling of LSECs and expression pattern analysis of functionally categorized genes gave insight into the mechanism of action of this cell on LR.

[Transcriptome atlas of serine family amino acid metabolism-related genes in eight rat regenerating liver cell types.].

To explore the transcription profiles of serine family amino acid metabolism-related genes in eight liver cell types during rat liver regeneration (LR), eight types of rat regenerating liver cells were isolated using the combination of percoll density gradient centrifugation and immunomagnetic bead methods. Then, the expression profiles of the genes associated with metabolism of serine family amino acid in rat liver regeneration were detected by Rat Genome 230 2.0 Array. The expression patterns of these genes were analyzed through the software of Cluster and Treeview. The activities of serine family amino acid metabolism were analyzed by the methods of bioinformatics and systems biology. The results showed that 27 genes were significantly expressed. Among them, the numbers of genes showing significant expression changes in hepatocytes, biliary epithelial cells, oval cells, hepatic stellate cells, sinusoidal endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, pit cells and dendritic cells were 13, 16, 11, 14, 13, 11, 12, and 14, respectively. The numbers of up-, down-, and up-/down-regulated genes in corresponding cells were 7, 6, and 0; 2, 10, and 4; 2, 8, and 1; 8, 3, and 3; 6, 5, and 2; 4, 6, and 1; 2, 10, and 0; and 6, 6, and 2. Overall, the genes in the eight types of cells were mostly down-regulated during liver regeneration, but most LR-related genes in hepatic stellate cells and sinusoidal endothelial cells were up-regulated in priming phase. It is suggested that biosynthesis of serine family amino acid was enhanced in hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, sinusoidal endothelial cells and Kupffer cells in the priming phase. The catabolism of them was enhanced in hepatocytes, biliary epithelial cells, pit cells and dendritic cells in progressive phase.