Original Articles
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 7, 2009; 15(5): 552-560
Published online Feb 7, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.552
Hepatic non-parenchymal cells and extracellular matrix participate in oval cell-mediated liver regeneration
Wei Zhang, Xiao-Ping Chen, Wan-Guang Zhang, Feng Zhang, Shuai Xiang, Han-Hua Dong, Lei Zhang
Wei Zhang, Xiao-Ping Chen, Wan-Guang Zhang, Feng Zhang, Shuai Xiang, Han-Hua Dong, Lei Zhang, Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
Author contributions: Zhang W performed the experiments and wrote the manuscript; Chen XP designed the study and revised the manuscript; Other authors conducted the data collection and analysis.
Correspondence to: Xiao-Ping Chen, MD, PhD, FACS, Hepatic Surgery Center and Institute of HBP Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China. chenxp@medmail.com.cn
Telephone: +86-27-83663400
Fax: +86-27-83662851
Received: November 11, 2008
Revised: December 14, 2008
Accepted: December 21, 2008
Published online: February 7, 2009
Abstract

AIM: 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.

CONCLUSION: Local hepatic microenvironment may participate in the oval cell-mediated liver regeneration through the cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions.

Keywords: Oval cells; Liver regeneration; Extracellular matrix; Hepatic stellate cells; Kupffer cells