Prostanoids in Liver Repair and Regeneration: Biosynthesis, Receptors, and Intercellular Communication

Prostanoids typically refer to prostaglandins, prostacyclin, and thromboxane, and are a series of bioactive lipid mediators primarily derived from arachidonic acid. Prostanoids play pivotal roles in various physiological processes, including liver repair and regeneration. Liver cells can produce different prostanoids, which can regulate multifaced functions in metabolic homeostasis, liver regeneration, and injury protection, through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms, preferably with the activation of specific receptors. Prostanoids orchestrate a complex network of cellular responses that promote liver repair and regeneration while modulating DNA replication, cellular proliferation, and hepatic inflammation. We reviewed prostanoid biosynthesis and intercellular interactions mediated by prostanoid receptors in the liver, focusing on their involvements in key signaling pathways that govern liver regeneration in response to partial hepatectomy, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and hepatotoxin/immunogen-induced damages. This review underscores the importance of prostanoids in liver homeostasis and highlights potential strategies for manipulating these pathways to improve clinical outcomes in liver repair and regeneration.