The origin of bile ductular-like structures after transplantation of regenerating hepatocytes into the spleen of syngeneic rats.
Normal and 24-h regenerating hepatocytes were transplanted into the spleen of 70% partially hepatectomized, syngeneic rats, which were sacrificed after 2, 4, 6, 10, and 12 months from the transplant. Altogether 50 rats served as recipients. Histological examination of splenic sections showed a small number of surviving hepatocytes both in normal hepatocytes recipients and in the regenerating hepatocytes recipients. In the latter group marked bile ductular proliferation was present from 4 to 12 months after transplantation. This experimental evidence supports the theory that intrahepatic bile duct cells can originate from hepatocytes.
Fogli
L
L
Cappellari
L
L
Gorini
P
P
Morsiani
E
E
D000818:Animals; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000473:pathology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008115:Liver Regeneration; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013154:Spleen / Q000601:surgery*