Cloning and expression profile of FLT3 gene during rat liver regeneration

Liver has a unique capacity to regenerate itself upon exposure to viral infections, toxic reactions and cancer formation which result in the loss of hepatocyte. Liver regeneration is a complex phenomenon in which several factors participate during its onset. Cellular proliferation is one of the important component of this process and the factors regulate this proliferation has a vital role. FLT3, a well-known hematopoietic stem cell and hepatic lineage surface marker, takes place in proliferative events of hematopoietic stem cells. However, its contribution to liver regeneration is not known. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to examine the role of FLT3 during liver regeneration. First we cloned a partial cDNA of rat homolog of FLT3 from thymus and examined the tissue specific expressions both in mRNA and protein level. After performing hepatectomy in rats to induce liver regeneration, expression profile of FLT3 in both mRNA and protein level and its cellular localization were also investigated during the different stages of liver regeneration models. Our data showed that FLT3 is expressed in most of the rat tissues and in liver regeneration. However, its intracellular localization is changed during the late stages of liver regeneration. Therefore, our results suggest a mechanism in which FLT3 receptor is activated in the late stages of liver regeneration.