Identifying KLF14 as a potential regulatory factor in liver regeneration trough transcriptomic and metabolomic

Abstract Liver regeneration is a complex process crucial for recovery after partial hepatectomy (PH) or ex-vivo liver resection and autotransplantation (ELRA). This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms involved in liver regeneration by analyzing peripheral blood samples from three patient...

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Main Authors: Chang Liu, Dalong Zhu, Junlong Xue, Alimu Tulahong, Tuerganaili Aji
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87614-3
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author Chang Liu
Dalong Zhu
Junlong Xue
Alimu Tulahong
Tuerganaili Aji
author_facet Chang Liu
Dalong Zhu
Junlong Xue
Alimu Tulahong
Tuerganaili Aji
author_sort Chang Liu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Liver regeneration is a complex process crucial for recovery after partial hepatectomy (PH) or ex-vivo liver resection and autotransplantation (ELRA). This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms involved in liver regeneration by analyzing peripheral blood samples from three patients with alveolar echinococcosis undergoing PH and ELRA. Peripheral blood samples were collected from three patients undergoing PH and three patients undergoing ELRA at three time points: pre-operation, postoperative day 1, and postoperative day 5, as well as three healthy controls. Transcriptomic analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using RNA sequencing, while metabolomic analysis was conducted using untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Key findings were validated through real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot analysis. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 3574 DEGs on post-operative day 1 compared to pre-operation in the ELRA group, and 3269 DEGs on post-operative day 5 compared to day 1. In the PH group, 1619 DEGs were identified on post-operative day 1 compared to pre-operation, and 896 DEGs were found on post-operative day 5 compared to day 1. Among these, 36 common genes were shared between both groups, primarily enriched in metabolic pathways. Integration of common genes, co-expression network analysis and Mfuzz clustering identified KLF14 as a gene correlated with liver regeneration processes, with its association with the PI3K-AKT pathway. Metabolomic analysis highlighted differentially expressed metabolites associated with lipid, amino acid, and energy metabolism. This study provides new insights into the molecular regulation of liver regeneration, identifying KLF14 and associated metabolic processes. These findings offer potential therapeutic targets for enhancing liver repair.
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spelling doaj-art-40ae5bcb2cf6480b8f1fd8e754afa06c2025-08-20T02:59:24ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-87614-3Identifying KLF14 as a potential regulatory factor in liver regeneration trough transcriptomic and metabolomicChang Liu0Dalong Zhu1Junlong Xue2Alimu Tulahong3Tuerganaili Aji4The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityDepartment of Hepatobiliary Hydatid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical UniversityAbstract Liver regeneration is a complex process crucial for recovery after partial hepatectomy (PH) or ex-vivo liver resection and autotransplantation (ELRA). This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms involved in liver regeneration by analyzing peripheral blood samples from three patients with alveolar echinococcosis undergoing PH and ELRA. Peripheral blood samples were collected from three patients undergoing PH and three patients undergoing ELRA at three time points: pre-operation, postoperative day 1, and postoperative day 5, as well as three healthy controls. Transcriptomic analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using RNA sequencing, while metabolomic analysis was conducted using untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Key findings were validated through real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot analysis. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 3574 DEGs on post-operative day 1 compared to pre-operation in the ELRA group, and 3269 DEGs on post-operative day 5 compared to day 1. In the PH group, 1619 DEGs were identified on post-operative day 1 compared to pre-operation, and 896 DEGs were found on post-operative day 5 compared to day 1. Among these, 36 common genes were shared between both groups, primarily enriched in metabolic pathways. Integration of common genes, co-expression network analysis and Mfuzz clustering identified KLF14 as a gene correlated with liver regeneration processes, with its association with the PI3K-AKT pathway. Metabolomic analysis highlighted differentially expressed metabolites associated with lipid, amino acid, and energy metabolism. This study provides new insights into the molecular regulation of liver regeneration, identifying KLF14 and associated metabolic processes. These findings offer potential therapeutic targets for enhancing liver repair.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87614-3Liver regenerationEx-vivo liver resection and autotransplantationPartial hepatectomyKLF14PI3K-AKT
spellingShingle Chang Liu
Dalong Zhu
Junlong Xue
Alimu Tulahong
Tuerganaili Aji
Identifying KLF14 as a potential regulatory factor in liver regeneration trough transcriptomic and metabolomic
Scientific Reports
Liver regeneration
Ex-vivo liver resection and autotransplantation
Partial hepatectomy
KLF14
PI3K-AKT
title Identifying KLF14 as a potential regulatory factor in liver regeneration trough transcriptomic and metabolomic
title_full Identifying KLF14 as a potential regulatory factor in liver regeneration trough transcriptomic and metabolomic
title_fullStr Identifying KLF14 as a potential regulatory factor in liver regeneration trough transcriptomic and metabolomic
title_full_unstemmed Identifying KLF14 as a potential regulatory factor in liver regeneration trough transcriptomic and metabolomic
title_short Identifying KLF14 as a potential regulatory factor in liver regeneration trough transcriptomic and metabolomic
title_sort identifying klf14 as a potential regulatory factor in liver regeneration trough transcriptomic and metabolomic
topic Liver regeneration
Ex-vivo liver resection and autotransplantation
Partial hepatectomy
KLF14
PI3K-AKT
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87614-3
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