In vitro study for assessment of potential targets as regulators of liver regeneration

• Main Author: Chen, Hoe Meng
• Other Authors: -
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2021
• Subjects: Science::Biological sciences
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/153272
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The liver is a unique organ capable of regenerating itself even after substantial injury or mass loss. However, this ability is often compromised in liver diseases. This can eventually lead to liver failure and death. Thus, it is important to devise therapies such as exploiting gene targets to increase liver regeneration. We had identified genes A01, B01, C01, D01 as potential candidates through transcriptomics data of patient samples. Hence, this research paper aimed to assess if the candidates are potential regulators of liver regeneration and if gene knockdown confer any effects. Knockdown of genes was conducted through viral infection of cells with plasmids containing short hairpin RNA targeting A01, B01, C01, D01. Subsequently, wound healing assay and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assay were conducted to investigate its effects on cell migration and proliferation. A01 and B01 knockdown was observed to increase cell migration and proliferation. However, C01 and D01 knockdown was observed to increase cell migration but reduce cell proliferation. Our results suggest that A01, B01 may be potential gene targets to increase liver regeneration. Further in vivo studies will be conducted to confirm their effects on liver regeneration.