HGF, SDF-1, and MMP-9 are involved in stress-induced human CD34⁺ stem cell recruitment to the liver
J. Clin. Invest. Orit Kollet, et al. 112:160 doi:10.1172/JCI17902 [Go to this article.]

Figure 2
SDF-1 expression and engrafting cell accumulation within the liver. (a–d) NOD/SCID mice transplanted with CB CD34⁺ cells. (a) Hematoxylin and eosin staining 5–6 weeks after transplantation shows a bile duct (large arrow) adjacent to a large portal vein (pv) with cells surrounding the duct (dashed arrow) that are not observed in normal mouse liver. (b) Identification of SDF-1 in the bile ducts of NOD/SCID mouse liver. All epithelial cells in the bile ducts are strongly positive for SDF-1 (large arrow); scattered bile ductule cells (arrowheads) are also SDF-1–positive. (c) Human CD45⁺ hematopoietic cells (small arrows) are present in large numbers surrounding the bile ducts (large arrows) and accumulate to very high density between the ducts and the adjacent portal veins. (d) Human CD45⁺ cells are also observed as single cells or small clusters in random distribution in the hepatic sinusoids. Original magnification for a–d, ×400. (e and f) SDF-1 expression in normal adult human liver and in the liver of a patient with chronic hepatitis resulting from HCV infection was detected by immunohistochemistry. (e) Normal liver shows a single mature bile duct stained positive for SDF-1 (arrow) and absence of SDF-1 expression in endothelial cells lining a venous channel (arrowheads). (f) Liver from a patient with chronic liver disease from HCV infection shows extensive proliferation of bile ducts positive for SDF-1 expression (arrows) as well as expression of SDF-1 in bile ductule epithelium and/or canal of Hering or oval cells (arrowheads). Magnification for e and f, ×200.