Method for inducing hepatocyte proliferation and uses thereof

The present application provides methods and compositions for inducing hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration, the latter being mainly dependent on hepatocyte proliferation even if all the other cell types divide to reconstitute the organ specific-lobular-architecture. The methods and compositions provided herein make use of an A₃AR agonist. A preferred A₃AR agonist disclosed herein is Cl-IB-MECA.