Hepatic non-parenchymal cells and extracellular matrix participate in oval cell-mediated liver regeneration.
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the interaction between non-parenchymal cells, extracellular matrix and oval cells during the restituting process of liver injury induced by partial hepatectomy (PH).


METHODS
We examined the localization of oval cells, non-parenchymal cells, and the extracellular matrix components using immunohistochemical and double immunofluorescent analysis during the proliferation and differentiation of oval cells in N-2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF)/PH rat model.


RESULTS
By day 2 after PH, small oval cells began to proliferate around the portal area. Most of stellate cells and laminin were present along the hepatic sinusoids in the periportal area. Kupffer cells and fibronectin markedly increased in the whole hepatic lobule. From day 4 to 9, oval cells spread further into hepatic parenchyma, closely associated with stellate cells, fibronectin and laminin. Kupffer cells admixed with oval cells by day 6 and then decreased in the periportal zone. From day 12 to 15, most of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), laminin and fibronectin located around the small hepatocyte nodus, and minority of them appeared in the nodus. Kupffer cells were mainly limited in the pericentral sinusoids. After day 18, the normal liver lobule structures began to recover.


CONCLUSIONS
Local hepatic microenvironment may participate in the oval cell-mediated liver regeneration through the cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions.
Zhang
Wei
W
Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China.
Chen
Xiao-Ping
XP
Zhang
Wan-Guang
WG
Zhang
Feng
F
Xiang
Shuai
S
Dong
Han-Hua
HH
Zhang
Lei
L
D015073:2-Acetylaminofluorene / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006498:Hepatectomy; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008115:Liver Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects
D002273:Carcinogens; D015073:2-Acetylaminofluorene