Reg2/RegIII is the murine homologue of the human secreted HIP/PAP C-type lectin. HIP/PAP transgenic mice were protected against acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure and were stimulated to regenerate post-hepatectomy. To assess the role of Reg2, we used Reg2؊/؊ mice in a model of fulminant hepatitis induced by Fas and in the post-hepatectomy regeneration. Within 4 hours of J0-2 treatment (0.5 g/g), only 50% of the Reg2؊/؊ mice were alive but with an increased sensitivity to Fas-induced oxidative stress and a decreased level of Bcl-xL. In contrast, HIP/PAP transgenic mice were resistant to Fas, with HIP/PAP serving as a sulfhydryl buffer to slow down decreases in glutathione and Bcl-xL. In Reg2؊/؊ mice, liver regeneration was markedly impaired, with 29% mortality and delay of the S-phase and the activation of ERK1/2 and AKT. Activation of STAT3 began on time at 3 hours but persisted strongly up to 72 hours despite significant accumulation of SOCS3. Thus, Reg2 deficiency induced exaggerated IL-6/STAT-3 activation and mito-inhibition. Because the Reg2 gene was activated between 6 and 24 hours after hepatectomy in wild-type mice, Reg2 could mediate the TNF-␣/IL-6 priming signaling by exerting a negative feedback on STAT3/IL-6 activation to allow the hepatocytes to progress through the cell cycle. In conclusion, Reg2 deficiency enhanced liver sensitivity to Fas-induced oxidative stress and delayed liver regeneration with persistent TNF-␣/IL6/STAT3 signaling. In contrast, overexpression of human HIP/PAP promoted liver resistance to Fas and accelerated liver regeneration with early activation/deactivation of STAT3. Reg2/HIP/PAP is therefore a critical mitogenic and antiapoptotic factor for the liver. (HEPATOLOGY 2006;44:1452-1464 F as/FasL (APO-1, CD95) interaction is involved in many pathological situations such as graft-versushost disease, liver transplant and major surgical resection, hepatitis B and C, acute alcoholic hepatitis, drug overdose, and some biliary diseases. Fas activation-induced acute liver failure is characterized by massive hepatic necrosis/apoptosis. Survival of patients depends on the speed with which quiescent liver cells re-enter the cell