Hepatocyte-specific Pten deficiency results in steatohepatitis and hepatocellular carcinomas

作者：Horie Y; Suzuki A^*; Kataoka E; Sasaki T; Hamada K; Sasaki J; Mizuno K; Hasegawa G; Kishimoto H; Iizuka M; Naito M; Enomoto K; Watanabe S; Mak TW; Nakano T

来源：Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2004, 113(12): 1774-1783.

DOI：10.1172/JCI200420513

PTEN is a tumor suppressor gene mutated in many human cancers, and its expression is reduced or absent in almost half of hepatoma patients. We used the Cre-loxP system to generate a hepatocyte-specific null mutation of Pten in mice (AlbCrePten(flox/flox) mice). AlbCrePten(flox/flox) mice showed massive hepatomegaly and steatohepadtis with triglyceride accumulation, a phenotype similar to human nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Adipocyte-specific genes were induced in mutant hepatocytes, implying adipogenic-like transformation of these cells. Genes involved in lipogenesis and P-oxidation were also induced, possibly as a result of elevated levels of the transactivating factors PPARgamma and SREBP1c. Importantly, the loss of Pten function in the liver led to tumorigenesis, with 47% ofAlbCrePten(flox/flox) livers developing liver cell adenomas by 44 weeks of age. By 74-78 weeks of age, 100% ofAlbCrePten(flox/ftox) livers showed adenomas and 66% had hepatocellular carcinomas. AlbCrePten(flox/flox) mice also showed insulin hypersensitivity. In vitro, AlbCrePten(flox/flox) hepatocytes were hyperproliferative and showed increased hyperoxidation with abnormal activation of protein kinase B and MAPK. Pten is thus an important regulator of lipogenesis, glucose metabolism, hepatocyte homeostasis, and tumorigenesis in the liver.

• 出版日期2004-6