Growth induction of hepatic stimulator substance in hepatocytes through its regulation on EGF receptors

The cytosolic liver-specific growth factor-hepatic stimulator substance (HSS) has been shown to be able to amplify the rat hepatocyte proliferation responded to EGF. In order to get more insight into the mechanism, the regulatory effect of HSS on EGF-receptor (EGF-R) and the receptor phosphorylation at molecular level was studied. HSS partially purified from weanling rat liver was given to cultured hepatocytes and its influence on EGF-R specific binding and internalization as well as mRNA expression were investigated. The results showed that preincubation of hepatocytes with HSS could lead to an increase in [I-125]-EGF binding to its receptors and inhibit EGF-induced receptor down-regulation. Furthermore, the overexpression of EGF-R mRNA stimulated by HSS was seen during 2-12 h after the incubation. Additionally, it was demonstrated with human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells in Western blot that the EGF-R expression and the receptor autophosphorylation were increased with dose/time-dependency after HSS treatment. These results strongly suggest that the mechanism of HSS action on hepatocyte growth might be related to its modulation on EGF-R and receptor-mediated signaling transduction.