Aurora kinase A regulates liver regeneration through macrophages polarization and Wnt/β-catenin signalling

Background and Aims: Liver regeneration is a complex process regulated by a variety of cells, cytokines and biological pathways. Aurora kinase A (AURKA) is a serine/threonine kinase that plays a role in centrosome maturation and spindle formation during the cell division cycle. The purpose of this study was to further explore the mechanism of AURKA on liver regeneration and to identify new possible targets for liver regeneration.

Methods: The effect and mechanism of AURKA on liver regeneration were studied using a 70% hepatectomy model. Human liver organoids were used as an in vitro model to investigate the effect of AURKA on hepatocyte proliferation.

Results: AURKA inhibition significantly reduced the level of β-catenin protein by reducing the phosphorylation level of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), leading to the inhibition of liver regeneration. Further studies showed that AURKA co-localized and interacted with GSK-3β in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. When phosphorylation of GSK-3β was enhanced, the total GSK-3β level remained unchanged, while AURKA was not affected, and β-catenin protein levels were increased. In addition, AURKA inhibition affected the formation and proliferation of human liver organoids. Furthermore, AURKA inhibition led to the polarization of M1 macrophages and the release of interleukin-6 and Tumour necrosis factor α, which also led to reduced liver regeneration and increased liver injury.

Conclusions: These results provide more details on the mechanism of liver regeneration and suggest that AURKA is an important regulator of this mechanism.