Mechanisms of augmenter of liver regeneration in promoting damaged hepatocyte proliferation

AIM: To investigate the mechanisms of augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) in promoting damaged hepatocyte proliferation.METHODS: The effects of Kupffer cell condition medium (KCCM+) stimulated by ALR on damaged hepatocyte proliferation were studied by MTT. The localization of ALR binding to Kupffer cell membrane and in intact rat liver was studied by immunohistochemistry. The IL-6 expression in Kupffer cells stimulated with ALR was observed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The proliferation of damaged hepatocytes stimulated with KCCM+ was increased significantly. ALR immunostaining particles in plasm of hepatocyte were found in intact liver. The rough immunostaining particles of ALR were seen on the surface of Kupffer cell membrane. Immunostaining particles of IL-6 in Kupffer cells induced by ALR increased. CONCLUSION: ALR promotes proliferation of damaged hepatocytes indirectly by stimulating Kupffer cells.