Abstract

Backround and Aims: To test the hypothesis that basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF₂) is a key player in liver regeneration in vivo, we performed partial hepatectomy on FGF₂-deficient ( - / - ) mice. As a control group we used the corresponding FGF₂-competent mice. Method: Liver regeneration was studied at days 0, 1, 2, 4, 7 and 10 post partial hemihepatectomy. We measured different growth and apoptotic factors, wich are relevant for liver regeneration. The expression of HGF, VEGF, TGFα, Fas, Fas-L , Caspase 3, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Bax was compared by semiquantitative rt-PCR and non radioactive Northern Blot. Results: Postoperative liver mass was comparable in both groups. VEGF, Caspase-3 and Bcl-xL were shown to be differentially expressed in the two groups. No difference was found for HGF, TGFα, Fas, Fas-L, Bcl-2, and Bax. In conclusion, the role of FGF₂ in regeneration, but not in apoptosis, might be substituted by VEGF.