Multiplicative mononuclear small hepatocytes in adult rat liver: Their isolation as a homogeneous population and localization to periportal zone

Adult rat liver contains a minor population of hepatocytes called small hepatocytes (SHs) that are smaller in size and show a higher replicative potential than conventional parenchymal hepatocytes (PHs). However, SHs have been hitherto characterized using a “SH-fraction” that was contaminated with P...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biochemical and biophysical research communications 2006-04, Vol.342 (4), p.1160-1167
Main Authors: Asahina, Kinji, Shiokawa, Miho, Ueki, Takuro, Yamasaki, Chihiro, Aratani, Akio, Tateno, Chise, Yoshizato, Katsutoshi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
cDNA microarray
Cell Separation - methods
Cells, Cultured
Cyp2c22
Cyp7a1
FACS sorting
Hepatic zonation
Hepatocytes - classification
Hepatocytes - cytology
Hepatocytes - metabolism
Liver - cytology
Liver - metabolism
Liver progenitor cells
Male
Ploidy
Proteome - metabolism
Rats
Rats, Inbred F344
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Summary:Adult rat liver contains a minor population of hepatocytes called small hepatocytes (SHs) that are smaller in size and show a higher replicative potential than conventional parenchymal hepatocytes (PHs). However, SHs have been hitherto characterized using a “SH-fraction” that was contaminated with PHs. In the present study, we isolated a PH-free SH-fraction from the adult rat liver using fluorescence-activated cell sorter combined with centrifugal elutriation and characterized the hepatocytes in the fraction. These hepatocytes were designated R3Hs in this study. R3Hs were mononuclear and of lower ploidy. They expressed at high levels genes of Cdc2, connexin 26, hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase, pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor, and prostaglandin E2 receptor EP3 subtype. We conclude that SHs dominate the periportal zone in the adult liver, because mRNA or proteins of these genes were exclusively expressed by periportal hepatocytes.
ISSN:0006-291X
1090-2104
DOI:10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.02.076