Tumor Necrosis Superfamily Ligands and Lymphocytes Role in Liver Regeneration

描述（由申请人提供）：脊椎动物肝脏的一个显著特征是其在损伤后再生的能力。多个平行的途径进入再生反应。我们相信，解锁控制再生反应的系统将导致肝脏疾病的治疗。肿瘤坏死因子（tumor necrosis factor，TNF）超家族是一个具有多种生物学活性的配体和受体大家族。我们的实验室正在发现TNF相关成员-具体来说，我们正在研究这种有效分子促进肝再生的机制。我们的重点是肝细胞上的光敏素受体和免疫细胞上表达的光敏素之间的相互作用。首先，我们的目标是显示什么样的细胞生存机制的光敏素β受体触发。第二，我们将白细胞介素6的产生和STAT 3磷酸化的刺激与光敏素受体联系起来。第三，我们特别将光敏素受体与IL-6的产生和肝内细胞反应联系起来。这些目标将共同定义TNF超家族成员在肝再生中的作用，并导致更好地理解是什么原因导致并可能预防肝损伤。 公共卫生相关性：肝病是美国人死亡的主要原因之一，几乎没有治疗选择。我们的实验室试图了解肝脏如何对损伤做出反应。我们的发现与肝脏疾病有关，如病毒性和非病毒性肝炎，慢性肝病和肝癌。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): A remarkable feature of the vertebrate liver is its ability to regenerate following injury. Multiple parallel pathways feed into the regenerative response. We believe that unlocking the systems that control the regenerative response will lead to treatments for liver diseases. We are focusing upon the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily which is a large group of ligands and receptors with diverse biologic activities. Our laboratory is uncovering the exact intra- and extrahepatocellular events of the TNF related member, lymphotoxin. Specifically, we are examining the mechanisms by which this potent molecule contributes to liver regeneration. We are focusing upon the interactions between the lymphotoxin receptor on hepatocytes and lymphotoxin expressed on immune cells. First, we aim to show what cell survival mechanisms the lymphotoxin beta receptor triggers. Second, we link the production of interleukin 6 and stimulation of STAT3 phosphorylation to the lymphotoxin receptor. Third, we specifically tie the lymphotoxin receptor to the production of IL-6 and the intrahepatic cellular response. Together these aims will define the role of TNF superfamily member in liver regeneration and lead to a better understanding of what causes and could potentially prevent liver injury. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Liver diseases are among the leading causes of death for Americans and few treatments options exist. Our laboratory seeks to understand how the liver responds to injuries. What we discover is relevant to livers diseases such as viral and non-viral hepatitis, chronic liver disease and liver cancer.