New ways of liver regeneration discovered

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Researchers in the UAE have found new possibilities for liver regeneration. Foreign publications report on the epigenomic method of regeneration of this important organ of the human body.

The scientific world has long been trying to discover previously unknown methods of cell renewal of internal human organs. An important discovery in this area was made by specialists from the United Arab Emirates. The journal Developmental Cell published information about the development of a team from the New York University laboratory in the country's capital. According to the article in the publication, the expert group has developed new methods that make it possible to regenerate the liver.

To do this, the research center staff propose to remove parts of the epigenome that play a major role in suppressing the so-called “jumping genes.” As a result of such an operation, another part of the epigenetic marks was redistributed. This is explained by the fact that the genome is protected from the danger of activation of transposed elements by a form of epigenetic compensation. It prevents the regulation of gene expression by compensatory epigenetic marks. Due to this, the activation of repressing genes occurs early, which gives them the opportunity to support themselves during the regenerative response after surgical removal of any areas of the liver. Such types of surgery are used to resect tumors.

The results of the scientists' work significantly help to understand the processes of liver regeneration, the restoration of this organ is unique for any species of mammals, including humans. In laboratory experiments, scientists removed the basic epigenetic regulator UHRF1 from the mouse liver, after which other parts showed a milder reaction, and the organ itself was restored through the activation of special genes.