Liver Regeneration in Health and Disease

Liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy results in proliferation of virtually all of the cells in the remnant liver, leading to restitution of mass within a few days. The regenerating liver maintains its functional capacity, and liver-specific factors, such as C/EBP's, continue to be expressed. Growth-induced transcription factors Stat3 and NF-KB regulate the expression of growth-response genes, ultimately leading to cell growth. Although well-modulated levels of cytokines may promote liver regeneration posthepatectomy, aberrant production of cytokines that can be seen in hepatitis, cirrhosis, and after liver transplantation may lead to hepatomas, fibrosis, and liver failure.