p38 MAP-kinase regulates function of gap and tight junctions during regeneration of rat hepatocytes

Background/Aims Hepatocyte regeneration is considered to be associated with adaptive changes in expression of gap and tight junctions through multiple signal transduction pathways including p38 MAP-kinase. The role of the stress responsitive MAP-kinase, p38 MAP-kinase, signaling pathway in function of gap and tight junctions was examined during regeneration of rat hepatocytes in vivo and in vitro. Methods We examined changes in formation, expression and function of gap and tight junctions in rat livers after 70% partial hepatectomy and in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes, by using a p38 MAP-kinase inhibitor, SB203580. Results When p38 MAP-kinase was activated during partial hepatectomy, down-regulation of Cx32 and up-regulation of claudin-1 were observed. By SB203580 treatment, the down-regulation of Cx32 was inhibited and the up-regulation of claudin-1 was enhanced, well maintaining the structures of gap and tight junctions. SB203580 treatment did not affect the increase of hepatocyte proliferation. In EGF induced proliferative rat hepatocytes treated with SB203580, the expression and function of Cx32 and claudin-1 were increased. Conclusions Dynamic changes of formation of gap and tight junctions during regeneration of rat hepatocytes in vivo and in vitro are in part controlled via a p38 MAP-kinase signaling pathway, and are independent of cell growth.