Therapeutic implication of platelets in liver regeneration -hopes and hues

The clinical value of the monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and alkaline phosphatase-to-platelet ratio in primary biliary cholangitis

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of the monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) and alkaline phosphatase-to-platelet ratio (APPR) in the diagnosis and prognosis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively collected and analyzed from 92 PBC patients, 92 patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), 120 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 124 healthy controls (HCs). We compared the levels of MHR and APPR among the groups with PBC, AIH, CHB and HCs, and analyzed the correlations between MHR and APPR with laboratory indices including aspartate aminotransferase platelet ratio index, fibrosis index based on 4 factors, and Mayo score in PBC. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to analyze the diagnostic performance of MHR and APPR for PBC, AIH, and CHB, respectively. MHR and APPR were significantly increased in PBC group than that in AIH, CHB and HCs groups (each P < .05). MHR and APPR were significantly higher in Child class B|C than that in class A in PBC patients. (P < .01, P < .05, respectively). MHR and APPR were positively related to the Mayo score [R = 0.508 (P < .001), R = 0.295 (P = .008), respectively]. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of MHR and APPR in diagnosing PBC were 0.764 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.699-0.821, P < .001) and 0.952 (95% CI: 0.915-0.977, P < .001), respectively, and the area under the curve of the combination of both was 0.974 (95% CI: 0.941-0.991, P < .001). MHR and APPR may prove to be useful prognostic biomarkers for PBC, and the combination of MHR and APPR have some clinical diagnostic value of PBC.

PLT Counts as a Predictive Marker after Plasma Exchange in Patients with Hepatitis B Virus-Related Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The platelet (PLT) value in hepatitis B-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) is not sufficiently understood. The present study aimed to evaluate the prognostic effect of PLT on the prediction of HBV-ACLF outcomes after plasma exchange (PE).

METHODS

HBV-ACLF patients treated with PE between January 2017 and August 2021 were followed up for at least 6 months. Cox regression was performed to develop the predictive model, and the model's performance was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).

RESULTS

A total of 170 patients were included. The overall survival rate within 180 days was 75.88%. Age, PLT, total bilirubin (TBil), and the iMELD scores were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients after PE. According to the Cox regression results, the new model was calculated: R = 0.142 × iMELD-0.009 × PLT. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was 0.758 (95% CI 0.678-0.838), and patients with lower PLT-iMELD scores (<4.50) had a better prognosis (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

PLT is a valuable prognostic biomarker for HBV-ACLF patients after PE. The modified iMELD model incorporating PLT has a better sensitivity and efficacy in predicting the prognosis of patients.

Relationship between Hepatitis B virus infection and platelet production and dysfunction

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a kind of hepatotropic DNA virus. The main target organ is liver, except for liver, HBV has been found in a variety of extrahepatic tissues, such as kidney, thyroid, pancreas, bone marrow, etc. HBV can cause severe complications by invading these tissues. Among them, pancytopenia is one of the common complications, especially thrombocytopenia that causes life-threatening bleeding. However, the mechanism of thrombocytopenia is unclear and the treatment is extremely difficult. It has been confirmed that HBV has a close relationship with platelets. HBV can directly infect bone marrow, inhibit platelet production, and accelerate platelet destruction by activating monocyte-macrophage system and immune system. While platelets act as a double-edged sword to HBV. On one hand, the activated platelets can degranulate and release inflammatory mediators to help clear the viruses. Furthermore, platelets can provide anti-fibrotic molecules to improve liver functions and reduce hepatic fibrosis. On the other hand, platelets can also cause negative effects. The infected platelets collect HBV-specific CD8⁺ T cells and nonspecific inflammatory cells into liver parenchyma, inducing chronic inflammation, liver fibrosis and hepatic carcinoma. This article explores the interaction between HBV infection and platelets, providing a theoretical basis for clinical treatment of thrombocytopenia and severe hemorrhage caused by HBV infection.

Metabolic hallmarks of liver regeneration

Despite the crucial role of cell metabolism in biological processes, particularly cell division, metabolic aspects of liver regeneration are not well defined. Better understanding of the metabolic activity governing division of liver cells will provide powerful insights into mechanisms of physiological and pathological liver regeneration. Recent studies have provided evidence that metabolic response to liver failure might be a proximal signal to initiate cell proliferation in liver regeneration. In this review, we highlight how lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins dynamically change and orchestrate liver regeneration. In addition, we discuss translational studies in which metabolic intervention has been used to treat chronic liver diseases (CLDs).

Molecular pathways of liver regeneration: A comprehensive review

The liver is a unique parenchymal organ with a regenerative capacity allowing it to restore up to 70% of its volume. Although knowledge of this phenomenon dates back to Greek mythology (the story of Prometheus), many aspects of liver regeneration are still not understood. A variety of different factors, including inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, and bile acids, promote liver regeneration and control the final size of the organ during typical regeneration, which is performed by mature hepatocytes, and during alternative regeneration, which is performed by recently identified resident stem cells called “hepatic progenitor cells”. Hepatic progenitor cells drive liver regeneration when hepatocytes are unable to restore the liver mass, such as in cases of chronic injury or excessive acute injury. In liver maintenance, the body mass ratio is essential for homeostasis because the liver has numerous functions; therefore, a greater understanding of this process will lead to better control of liver injuries, improved transplantation of small grafts and the discovery of new methods for the treatment of liver diseases. The current review sheds light on the key molecular pathways and cells involved in typical and progenitor-dependent liver mass regeneration after various acute or chronic injuries. Subsequent studies and a better understanding of liver regeneration will lead to the development of new therapeutic methods for liver diseases.

A cohort study of hepatectomy-related complications and prediction model for postoperative liver failure after major liver resection in 1,441 patients without obstructive jaundice

Background

This cohort study, based on a large sample of extensive hepatectomy cases, aimed to analyze the distribution of hepatectomy-related complications and to develop a predictive model of posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF).

Methods

Data of patients who underwent hepatectomy of ≥3 liver segments at the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital from 2000 to 2016 were collected and analyzed. Information on hepatectomy-related complications was collected and risk factors were analyzed. A total of 1,441 eligible patients were randomly assigned at 3:1 ratio into the derivation (n=1,080) and validation (n=361) cohorts. The multivariable logistic regression model was used to establish the prediction model of PHLF in the derivation cohort.

Results

The incidence rates of PHLF, ascites, bile leakage, intra-abdominal bleeding, and abscesses were 58.22%, 10.76%, 11.17%, 9.71%, and 4.16%, respectively. The 90-day perioperative mortality rate was 1.32%. Multivariate analyses found that age, gender, platelet, creatinine, gamma-glutamyltransferase, thrombin time, fibrinogen, hepatitis B e (HBe) antigen positive, and number of resected liver segments were independent prognostic factors of PHLF in the derivation cohort and included in the nomogram. The prediction model demonstrated good discrimination [area under the curve =0.726, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.696–0.760, P<0.0001] and calibration.

Conclusions

Our study showed a high perioperative safety and a low risk of serious complications in patients who underwent major liver resection (MLR) at a large hepatobiliary surgery center. Routine preoperative clinical information can be used to develop a postoperative liver failure risk prediction model for rational planning of surgery.

Cell Sources and Influencing Factors of Liver Regeneration: A Review

Liver regeneration (LR) is a set of complicated mechanisms between cells and molecules in which the processes of initiation, maintenance, and termination of liver repair are regulated. Although LR has been studied extensively, there are still numerous challenges in gaining its full understanding. Cells for LR have a wide range of sources and the feature of plasticity, and regeneration patterns are not the same under different conditions. Many patients undergoing partial hepatectomy develop cirrhosis or steatosis. The changes of LR in these cases are not clear. Many types of cells participate in LR. Hepatocytes, biliary epithelial cells, hepatic progenitor cells, and human liver stem cells can serve as the cell sources for LR. However, different types and degrees of damage trigger the response from the most suitable cells. Exploring the cell sources of LR is of great significance for accelerating recovery of liver function under different pathological patterns and developing a cell therapy strategy to cope with the shortage of donors for liver transplantation. In clinical practice, the background of the liver influences regeneration. Fibrosis and steatosis create different LR microenvironments and signal molecule interaction patterns. In addition, factors such as partial hepatectomy, aging, platelets, nerves, hormones, bile acids, and gut microbiota are widely involved in this process. Understanding the influencing factors of LR has practical value for individualized treatment of patients with liver diseases. In this review, we have summarized recent studies and proposed our views. We discuss cell sources and the influential factors on LR to help in solving clinical problems.

Emerging therapeutic targets for NASH: key innovations at the preclinical level

Introduction: nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a globally emerging health problem, mainly caused by increasing trends in the prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Patients with NASH are mainly affected by cardiovascular risk and extrahepatic cancer, but a significant proportion of patients will develop advanced liver disease, eventually resulting in liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent research has yielded a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms and potential targetability for drug development.Areas covered: This review focuses on the role of fructose metabolism, de novo lipogenesis (DNL), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, NLRP3 inflammasome, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling and platelets in the pathophysiology of NASH. We discuss the suitability of these substrates for targeting liver disease as well as cardiovascular health in patients with NASH. A non-systematic literature search was performed on PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov.Expert opinion: Targeting fructose metabolism, DNL, ER stress, NLRP3 inflammasome, BMP signaling and platelets are promising therapeutic strategies, warranting further preclinical and clinical investigation. The discussed approaches might not only benefit liver-related outcomes but improve cardiovascular disease as well. Amidst the euphoria of advances in drug development for NASH, parallel endeavors need to address the underlying causes of obesity and metabolic syndrome to prevent NASH.