NF-κB activation in non-parenchymal liver cells after partial hepatectomy in rats: possible involvement in expression of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor

Background/Aims: Nuclear factor (NF) κB activation plays a critical role in the initiation of liver growth after partial hepatectomy (PH). However, the issue of where specifically NF-κB is activated is unclear. We previously reported that heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a hepatotrophic factor. The aims of this study were to identify NF-κB-activated cells and to clarify their involvement in HB-EGF expression after PH.