Gene expression profiles in living donors immediately after partial hepatectomy - the initial response of liver regeneration.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Gene expression profiles of liver regeneration are well explored in rat models. However, there are limited relative data in humans. This study aimed to show that mRNA expression profiles change immediately after right hepatectomy in living-related donors and correlate with mechanisms of liver regeneration reported in the literature.

METHODS

Prospective study was conducted from March 2003 to August 2004. Living-related donors who donated right lobe of liver were included. Liver biopsies were performed at the beginning and, 5 hours later, at the end of liver resection. RNAs were isolated to synthesize cRNA. Oligo DNA microarray experiments were conducted and paired signal intensity ratios (Cy3/Cy5) were normalized with rank-invariant global Lowess regression analysis by taking base two logarithms. Genes whose average residuals more than 2.5-fold increased or less than -2.5-fold decreased were selected to get the most pronounced expression changes during this period.

RESULTS

Five of 34 donors were included with qualified samples. The expression patterns of paired DNA microarray experiments were similar in five donors. A total of 28 upregulated and 14 downregulated genes were collected. Acute-phase proteins (serum amyloid A, complement-reactive protein, heme oxygenase-1) were upregulated. Genes related to growth signal transduction (G-protein coupled receptor-30) were downregulated.

CONCLUSION

Gene expression profiles immediately after partial hepatectomy were reported first in humans with the techniques of oligo DNA microarray, which were compatible with the initial gene expression patterns of liver regeneration in rats.