Abstract:Objective:To explore the relationship and interaction between extracellular matrix (ECM) components and oval cells (OC) during the oval cells-mediated liver regeneration.
Methods :A dynamic study on the localization of and the relationship of OC with ECM components (laminin and fibronectin) during the proliferation and differentiation of OC in 2-AAF/PH rats model was conducted and analysed by using immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescent method.
Results:By day 2 after partial hepatectomy, OC began to proliferate around the portal area.Most of laminin were present along the hepatic sinusoids in the periportal area. Fibronectin markedly increased in the whole hepatic lobule.From day 4 to 9,OC spread further into hepatic parenchyma,closely associated with fibronectin and laminin.There was a decrease in number of the pericentral fibronectin and increase of fibronectin in the periportal areas. From day 12 to 15, as the OC differentiated into small hepatocellular nodus, most of laminin and fibronectin were located around the hepatocellular nodus, and few of them were present into the nodus.After day 18, the normal liver lobule structures began to recover.
Conclusions:There is a close relationship between the ECM components and OC during the liver restitutive repair. Local hepatic microenvironment may participate in the oval cell-mediated liver regeneration through the cell-matrix interactions.