Hepatic non-parenchymal cells and extracellular matrix participate in oval cell-mediated liver regeneration

Abstract

AIM:To elucidate the interaction between nonparenchymal 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. CONCLUSION:Local hepatic microenvironment may participate in the oval cell-mediated liver regeneration through the cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions.

Tumor Necrosis Factor–Like Weak Inducer of Apoptosis Is a Mitogen for Liver Progenitor Cells

“…Expression of TWEAK in CDE cell isolates was predominantly in NK cells and macrophages, which are known to associate physically with proliferating LPCs in CDE and other models. 33 In contrast, Fn14 expression was massively up-regulated in CDE samples and correlated positively with LPC numbers. In primary cell isolates from a CDE liver, all cells positive for the LPC/biliary marker CKpan coexpressed Fn14.…”

Mesenchymal stem cells as therapeutic tools and gene carriers in liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma

“…166 After partial hepatectomy, many cellular populations, mainly hepatocytes, and also biliary epithelial cells, Kupffer cells, endothelial cells and stellate cells, rapidly respond in an organized way to make possible a full liver mass recovery. 163 At least in case of severe liver injury or deficient hepatocyte response, the liver oval cells are also implicated 164,167,168 as well as some stellate cells, likely those expressing CD133, 169,170 as a reservoir of hepatocyte progenitors. A contribution from bone marrow or other extrahepatic stem/progenitors cells to liver regeneration might also be relevant in such circumstances.…”

Transplantation of Cryopreserved Fetal Liver Cells Seeded Into Macroporous Alginate-Gelatin Scaffolds in Rats With Liver Failure

“…Из рис. 3, а, видно, что у животных группы 2 на гистологических срезах печени, окрашенных ге-матоксилином и эозином, наблюдались серьезные патологические изменения органа: нарушение его архитектоники, дегенеративные изменения гепато-цитов и дуктулярная реакция, что в целом харак-терно для такой экспериментальной модели [17]. У животных группы 3, которым имплантировали матрицы с иммобилизованными КФП, морфоло-гические изменения органа не были так резко вы-ражены: при микроскопировании гистологических образцов выявлялись участки печени с нормальной трабекулярной структурой.…”