Abstract
The vascular endothelium was once thought to function primarily in nutrient and oxygen delivery, but recent evidence suggests that it may play a broader role in tissue homeostasis. To explore the role of sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) in the adult liver, we studied the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor activation on mouse hepatocyte growth. Delivery of VEGF-A increased liver mass in mice but did not stimulate growth of hepatocytes in vitro, unless LSECs were also present in the culture. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was identified as one of the LSEC-derived paracrine mediators promoting hepatocyte growth. Selective activation of VEGF receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) stimulated hepatocyte but not endothelial proliferation in vivo and reduced liver damage in mice exposed to a hepatotoxin. Thus, VEGFR-1 agonists may have therapeutic potential for preservation of organ function in certain liver disorders.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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CHO Cells
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Carbon Tetrachloride / toxicity
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Cell Division
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Cells, Cultured
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Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury
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Coculture Techniques
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Cricetinae
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DNA Replication
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Endothelial Growth Factors / genetics
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Endothelial Growth Factors / metabolism*
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Endothelial Growth Factors / pharmacology
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Endothelium, Vascular / cytology*
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Endothelium, Vascular / physiology
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Gene Expression Regulation
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Growth Substances / genetics
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Growth Substances / metabolism
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Hepatocyte Growth Factor / genetics
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Hepatocyte Growth Factor / metabolism
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Hepatocyte Growth Factor / pharmacology
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Hepatocytes / cytology
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Hepatocytes / pathology
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Hepatocytes / physiology*
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Humans
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / pharmacology
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Liver / blood supply
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Liver / cytology*
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Liver / pathology
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Liver / physiology*
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Liver Diseases / metabolism
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Liver Diseases / pathology
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Liver Diseases / prevention & control
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Liver Regeneration
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Lymphokines / genetics
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Lymphokines / metabolism*
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Lymphokines / pharmacology
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Mice
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Mice, Nude
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Mitosis
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Mutation
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Necrosis
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Neovascularization, Physiologic
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Paracrine Communication
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RNA, Messenger / genetics
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
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Signal Transduction
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Up-Regulation
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / metabolism*
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / metabolism
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
Substances
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Endothelial Growth Factors
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Growth Substances
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Lymphokines
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RNA, Messenger
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
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Hepatocyte Growth Factor
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Carbon Tetrachloride
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2