Kupffer cell depletion by gadolinium chloride enhances liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats

Although previous work suggests that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) promotes liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH), the source of TNF is unknown. If Kupffer cells release TNF after PH, then Kupffer cell depletion by gadolinium chloride (GdCl) should inhibit liver regeneration. To test this hypothesis, cytokine expression and regenerative events were compared in GdCl-treated and control rats. Functional assays and Northern blot...