PROTEOGLYCAN GENE-EXPRESSION IN RAT-LIVER AFTER PARTIAL-HEPATECTOMY

Liver regeneration is regulated by several factors. Among these extrac ellular matrix plays a crucial role in the restoration of normal struc ture. Proteoglycans are major component of extracellular matrix and th ey are able to bind growth factors implicated in liver growth. Wa stud ied syndecan, perlecan, fibroglycan, and decorin expression after part ial hepatectomy In rats by Northern blot analysis. A strong early upre gulation was observed at 30 min in decorin expression which was follow ed by the first syndecan and perlecan peaks at 2 and 4 hours after hep atectomy. Ar 2 ? hours, which is the peak oi. hepatocyte DNA synthesis , all these three proteoglycans had elevated steady state transcript l evel. Fibroglycan message decreased after partial hepatectomy anti rem ained low during the experimental period. The different expression pat tern of the proteoglycans suggests that these extracellular matrix com ponents may selectively influence the regeneration process. (C) 1996 A cademic Press, Inc.