Diploid hepatocytes resist acetaminophen-induced liver injury through suppressed JNK signaling

TL;DR

Diploid liver cells are more resistant to liver damage caused by acetaminophen, possibly due to reduced JNK signaling.

Contribution

This study identifies diploid hepatocytes as a protective cell population in acetaminophen-induced liver injury.

Findings

Mice with high diploid hepatocyte populations showed improved survival and less liver damage after acetaminophen treatment.

Diploid hepatocytes exhibited reduced JNK activation and mitochondrial injury following acetaminophen exposure.

Wild-type hepatocytes shifted toward lower ploidy after acetaminophen treatment, suggesting diploid cells are more resilient.

Abstract

The liver contains both diploid and polyploid hepatocytes, but their functional differences remain poorly understood. Emerging evidence suggests that each ploidy state contributes to regeneration in an injury-specific manner. We hypothesized that diploid hepatocytes promote healing after acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury. To study ploidy populations in vivo, we utilized mice with a lifelong liver-specific knockout of E2f7/E2f8 (LKO), which are enriched in diploid hepatocytes (> 70%) but otherwise normal. Control and LKO mice were treated with APAP (300 or 600 mg/kg), and injury was assessed over 0–96 h. Although both groups sustained injury, LKO mice showed improved survival, lower serum liver enzyme levels, and reduced necrosis and DNA fragmentation, indicating resistance to APAP-induced injury. To determine if resistance was due to E2f7/E2f8 loss or increased diploidy, we deleted E2f7/E2f8 in adult hepatocytes (HKO), a model that does not alter ploidy. Injury was similar between controls and HKO, ruling out gene deletion as the protective factor. Transcriptomic and protein analyses revealed minimal baseline differences; however, following APAP treatment, LKO livers exhibited reduced JNK activation and less mitochondrial injury. Finally, APAP-treated wild-type hepatocytes exhibited a shift toward lower ploidy, supporting the idea that diploid cells are more resistant to injury. These findings highlight hepatocyte ploidy as a key determinant of injury response and suggest a protective role for diploid hepatocytes in promoting liver resilience and regeneration.

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