hUCB-MSC derived exosomal miR-124 promotes rat liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy via downregulating Foxg1

Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) is a complex and well-orchestrated process involving multiple factors such as cytokines, growth factors, and signaling pathways. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in various biological processes including liver regeneration after PH. In the current study, we investigated the expression and function of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cell (MICR-MSC) derived exosomal miRNAs on liver regeneration using a rat PH model. We found that MICR-MSC derived exosomes promoted rat liver regeneration and ameliorated liver injury after PH. MicroRNA microarray was performed to identify the differentially expressed miRNAs in MICR-MSC derived exosomes involving in liver regeneration after PH. We demonstrated that MICR-MSC derived exosomal miR-124 could promote liver regeneration and prevent against liver injury after PH in rats. Inhibition of miR-124 abrogated the protective role of MICR-MSC derived exosome in rat liver regeneration after PH. In addition, we identified that transcription factor Foxg1 was a direct target of miR-124 and miR-124 promoted rat liver cell proliferation via suppressing Foxg1 expression. Furthermore, we demonstrated that MICR-MSC derived exosomal miR-124 enhanced liver regeneration via inhibiting Foxg1 in rats after PH. In summary, our findings suggest that MICR-MSC-derived exosomal miR-124 could promote rat liver regeneration after PH via downregulating Foxg1.

Automated summary

The study showed that exosomal miR-124 derived from MICR-MSC could promote rat liver regeneration after PH by downregulating Foxg1 and inhibiting liver injury.