Hepatitis B virus inhibits liver regeneration via epigenetic regulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator

Liver regeneration after liver damage caused by toxins and pathogens is critical for liver homeostasis. Retardation of liver proliferation was reported in hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (HBx)-transgenic mice. However, the underlying mechanism of the HBx-mediated disturbance of liver regeneration is unknown. We investigated the molecular mechanism of the inhibition of liver regeneration using liver cell lines and a mouse model. The mouse model...