Immunomagneto-activated hepatocyte-specific tissue vesicle profiling reveals message diversification from regenerating liver

Background & Aims The liver possesses a remarkable regenerative capacity involving intricate intercellular communication, the mechanisms of which remain poorly understood. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) emerge as important messengers in diverse pathophysiological conditions. However, tissue-derived, cell-specific functional EV populations in regeneration have not been robustly investigated. Methods Bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing analyses of the regenerating liver after partial hepatectomy (PHx), ultrastructural examinations of in situ liver tissue EVs (LT-EVs), and nanoscale and proteomic profiling of hepatocyte-derived tissue EVs (Hep-EVs) were integrated. Targeted inhibition of Hep-EV release in vivo was performed via AAV-mediated shRNA knockdown of Rab27a , and Hep-EVs were intravenously infused for therapeutically use. Gross, histological, and immunofluorescent examinations of livers with evaluating in vivo and ex vivo hepatocyte proliferation were conducted. Results LT-EVs contribute to the liver regenerative process after PHx, and hepatocytes serve as the major origin of tissue EVs in the regenerating liver. Moreover, Hep-EVs play an indispensable role to orchestrate liver regeneration, which is strengthened to release with proliferative messages identified after PHx. Mechanistically, Hep-EVs from the regenerating liver reciprocally promote hepatocyte proliferation, which are hallmarked by and function based on the Cyclin dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) activity. Importantly, replenishment of Hep-EVs from the regenerating liver holds translational promise and rescues insufficient liver regeneration. Conclusions Our study establishes a functional and mechanistic framework that release of regenerative Hep-EVs govern rapid hepatocyte proliferation through cell cycle control, shedding light on investigation of physiological and endogenous tissue EV populations in organ regeneration and therapy.