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Title: MAPK/ERK and Wnt/{beta}-Catenin pathways are synergistically involved in proliferation of Sca-1 positive hepatic progenitor cells

Journal Article · · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
 [1]; ; ;  [1]
  1. Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (United States)

Highlights: {yields} Activation of MAPK/ERK pathway with epidermal growth factor (EGF) significantly increased Sca-1{sup +} HPC proliferation and colony formation. {yields} Activation of either IL-6/STAT3 or Wnt/{beta}-Catenin pathway did not independently support cell proliferation and colony formation of HPCs. {yields} Wnt/{beta}-Catenin pathway can cooperate with EGF to significantly promote HPC colony formation and maintain long-term HPCs in vitro. -- Abstract: Hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) persist in adulthood and have the potential to play a major role in regenerating diseased liver. However, the signaling pathways that both directly and indirectly regulate HPCs' self-renewal and differentiation remain elusive. Previously, we identified a bipotent, stem cell antigen-1 (Sca-1) positive HPC population from naive adult liver tissue. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the involvement of various signaling pathways in Sca-1{sup +} HPC proliferation. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) supplementation shows a significant increase in Sca-1{sup +} HPC proliferation and colony formation while stimulating phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and activating the induction of Cyclin D1. There were no demonstrable effects of EGF on Akt. The MEK inhibitor, PD0325901, inhibits proliferation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation while also suppressing the expression of Cyclin D1. In addition, activation of either IL-6/STAT3 or Wnt/{beta}-Catenin pathway did not independently support cell proliferation and colony formation of HPCs. The Wnt/{beta}-Catenin pathway can cooperate with EGF to significantly promote HPC colony formation ratio and maintain long-term HPC in vitro. The data indicates that the MAPK/ERK pathway is both essential and critical for HPC proliferation, and the Wnt signaling pathway is not sufficient, while it works synergistically with the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway to promote HPC proliferation.

OSTI ID:
22204957
Journal Information:
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Vol. 409, Issue 4; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0006-291X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English