Regeneration: liver regeneration: practice question

A Pathology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pathology · Regeneration: liver regeneration

Sample item

A 40-year-old donor undergoes partial hepatectomy for a living-donor liver transplant. Which cytokines act on the quiescent remaining hepatocytes to prime them to enter the cell cycle from G0?

ATGF-beta and IL-10BIFN-gamma and IL-12 from Th1 cellsCIL-4 and IL-13 from Th2 cellsDTNF and IL-6 released by Kupffer cells

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. TNF and IL-6 released by Kupffer cells

After hepatectomy, TNF and IL-6 from Kupffer cells prime hepatocytes by moving them from G0 into G1, so that they become responsive to growth factors. Hepatocyte growth factor and TGF-alpha then drive proliferation. TGF-beta is an inhibitor that helps terminate regeneration once the liver mass is restored.

Option by option

A. TGF-beta and IL-10
TGF-beta and IL-10 are inhibitory and anti-inflammatory, and contribute to stopping regeneration.
B. IFN-gamma and IL-12 from Th1 cells
IFN-gamma and IL-12 drive Th1 and macrophage activation in infection, not hepatocyte priming.
C. IL-4 and IL-13 from Th2 cells
IL-4 and IL-13 drive allergic and alternative macrophage responses, not hepatocyte entry into the cell cycle.
D. TNF and IL-6 released by Kupffer cells (correct)
Correct. TNF and IL-6 are the priming signals that allow hepatocytes to enter the cell cycle.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is D, TNF and IL-6 released by Kupffer cells. After hepatectomy, TNF and IL-6 from Kupffer cells prime hepatocytes by moving them from G0 into G1, so that they become responsive to growth factors.

Why is "TGF-beta and IL-10" not the answer?

TGF-beta and IL-10 are inhibitory and anti-inflammatory, and contribute to stopping regeneration.

Why is "IFN-gamma and IL-12 from Th1 cells" not the answer?

IFN-gamma and IL-12 drive Th1 and macrophage activation in infection, not hepatocyte priming.

Why is "IL-4 and IL-13 from Th2 cells" not the answer?

IL-4 and IL-13 drive allergic and alternative macrophage responses, not hepatocyte entry into the cell cycle.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Regeneration: liver regeneration in Pathology. Hepatocyte growth factor and TGF-alpha then drive proliferation. TGF-beta is an inhibitor that helps terminate regeneration once the liver mass is restored.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Regeneration: liver regeneration?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.