Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor promotes liver repair and induces oval cell migration and proliferation in rats

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hepatic regeneration is a heterogeneous phenomenon involving several cell populations. Oval cells are considered liver stem cells, a portion of which derive from bone marrow (BM). Recent studies have shown that granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) may be effective in facilitating liver repair. However, it remains unclear if G-CSF acts by mobilizing BM cells, or if it acts locally within the liver microenvironment to facilitate the endogenous restoration program. In the present study, we assessed the involvement of G-CSF during oval cell activation. METHODS: Dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV-deficient female rats received BM transplants from wild-type male donors. Four weeks later, rats were subjected to the 2-acetylaminofluorene/partial hepatectomy model of oval cell-mediated liver regeneration, followed by administration of either nonpegylated G-CSF or pegylated G-CSF. Control animals did not receive further treatments after surgery. The magnitude of oval cell reaction, the entity of BM contribution to liver repopulation, as well as the G-CSF/G-CSF-receptor expression levels were evaluated. In addition, in vitro proliferation and migration assays were performed on freshly isolated oval cells. RESULTS: Oval cells were found to express G-CSF receptor and G-CSF was produced within the regenerating liver. G-CSF administration significantly increased both the magnitude of the oval cell reaction, and the contribution of BM to liver repair. Finally, G-CSF acted as a chemoattractant and a mitogen for oval cells in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that G-CSF facilitates hepatic regeneration by increasing the migration of BM-derived progenitors to the liver, as well as enhancing the endogenous oval cell reaction.