Thyroid Hormone Receptor β Agonist Induces β-Catenin-Dependent Hepatocyte Proliferation in Mice: Implications in Hepatic Regeneration

Gene Expr. 2016;17(1):19-34. doi: 10.3727/105221616X691631. Epub 2016 May 24.

Abstract

Triiodothyronine (T3) induces hepatocyte proliferation in rodents. Recent work has shown molecular mechanism for T3's mitogenic effect to be through activation of β-catenin signaling. Since systemic side effects of T3 may preclude its clinical use, and hepatocytes mostly express T3 hormone receptor β (TRβ), we investigated if selective TRβ agonists like GC-1 may also have β-catenin-dependent hepatocyte mitogenic effects. Here we studied the effect of GC-1 and T3 in conditional knockouts of various Wnt pathway components. We also assessed any regenerative advantage of T3 or GC-1 when given prior to partial hepatectomy in mice. Mice administered GC-1 showed increased pSer675-β-catenin, cyclin D1, BrdU incorporation, and PCNA. No abnormalities in liver function tests were noted. GC-1-injected liver-specific β-catenin knockouts (β-catenin LKO) showed decreased proliferation when compared to wild-type littermates. To address if Wnt signaling was required for T3- or GC-1-mediated hepatocyte proliferation, we used LRP5-6-LKO, which lacks the two redundant Wnt coreceptors. Surprisingly, decreased hepatocyte proliferation was also evident in LRP5-6-LKO in response to T3 and GC-1, despite increased pSer675-β-catenin. Further, increased levels of active β-catenin (hypophosphorylated at Ser33, Ser37, and Thr41) were evident after T3 and GC-1 treatment. Finally, mice pretreated with T3 or GC-1 for 7 days followed by partial hepatectomy showed a significant increase in hepatocyte proliferation both at the time (T0) and 24 h after surgery. In conclusion, like T3, TRβ-selective agonists induce hepatocyte proliferation through β-catenin activation via both PKA- and Wnt-dependent mechanisms and confer a regenerative advantage following surgical resection. Hence, these agents may be useful regenerative therapies in liver transplantation or other surgical settings.

MeSH terms

  • Acetates / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Hepatectomy / methods
  • Hepatocytes / drug effects*
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver Regeneration / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Phenols / pharmacology*
  • Thyroid Hormone Receptors beta / agonists*
  • Thyroid Hormone Receptors beta / metabolism
  • Triiodothyronine / pharmacology*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / drug effects
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Acetates
  • GC 1 compound
  • Phenols
  • Thyroid Hormone Receptors beta
  • beta Catenin
  • Triiodothyronine
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases