A precursor—Product relationship exists between oval cells and hepatocytes in rat liver

RP Evarts, P Nagy, E Marsden… - …, 1987 - academic.oup.com
RP Evarts, P Nagy, E Marsden, SS Thorgeirsson
Carcinogenesis, 1987academic.oup.com
Oval cell proliferation was induced in twelve male Fischer rats by administration of 2-
acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) for 2 weeks and by performing partial hepatectomy one week
after the beginning of 2-AAF administration. Albumin expression in liver was studied by
using in situ hybridization of 3 H-labeled rat albumin riboprobe. Radiolabeled thy-midine
was administered to a group of animals at day 6 after partial hepatectomy. The animals were
killed at 0, 3, 7, 9, 11 and 13 days after partial hepatectomy. Both oval cells and basophilk …
Abstract
Oval cell proliferation was induced in twelve male Fischer rats by administration of 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) for 2 weeks and by performing partial hepatectomy one week after the beginning of 2-AAF administration. Albumin expression in liver was studied by using in situ hybridization of 3 H-labeled rat albumin riboprobe. Radiolabeled thy-midine was administered to a group of animals at day 6 after partial hepatectomy. The animals were killed at 0, 3, 7, 9, 11 and 13 days after partial hepatectomy. Both oval cells and basophilk hepatocytes showed a prominent expression of albumin, whereas albumin expression hi acidophilic preexisting hepatocytes was decreased. Oval cell nuclei were exclusively labeled one day after administration of [ 3 H]thymidine. At day 9, 11 and 13 basophilic hepatocytes became labeled and the area occupied by these cells increased. This is the first demonstration of the transfer of radiolabeled thymidine from oval ceDs to newly formed hepatocytes in vivo . Thus the precursor—product relationship between oval cells and basophilic hepatocytes has been established.
Oxford University Press