Researchers advance understanding of liver regeneration
FRIDAY 13 APRIL 2007
Researchers have discovered that the number of proteins involved in liver regeneration is much lower than previously thought, bringing them closer to being able to stimulate liver regeneration in patients who have had part of the organ removed due to cirrhosis, hepatitis or cancer. A team from Harvard Medical School, Boston, looked at liver development in embryonic mice and liver regeneration in adult mice who had had part of their liver removed.
They found that that the number and type of proteins involved in both processes was very different. Specifically, certain 'transcription factors' - proteins that turn genes on and off - involved in embryonic liver development were not involved in adult liver regeneration. Study author Dr Seth Karp, who is assistant professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School, explained that the human liver is capable of regenerating from as little as 25 per cent of its tissue. Commenting on the "very encouraging" results of the latest research, Dr Karp said: "We think that the liver regrows through a relatively simple process, which could explain its prodigious ability to repair itself." This suggests that liver regeneration may be a much simpler process than in other tissue types, and Dr Karp added that researchers may therefore be closer to stimulating liver regeneration than previously thought. The study is published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Number of Britons diagnosed with alcohol-related cancers exceeds Wimbledon's Centre Court
Benefits of international tobacco smuggling protocol would outweigh costs
Women and GPs lack awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms
One in 25 deaths attributable to alcohol
Patients with suspected cancer to see specialist within two weeks
Animal fats linked to pancreatic cancer
Promising experimental drug targets cancer 'Achilles heel'
Cervical cancer screening age to stay at 25
NICE approves lenalidomide for multiple myeloma patients who have received previous treatments
Scientists identify inhibitor of tumour spread
