Re-establishment Of Rat Models For Hepatic Oval Cells And Localization With Immunohistochemistry Stain

BackgroundStem cells are a kind of cells which possess self-renewing abilities during the whole life activity. The adult stem cells abilities of differentiation, self-renewing and self-maintenance tended to be limited. So that, it which is characterized of short life time, could differentiate by means of mono-direction or double direction. What is the most important is that it can not differentiate all cells from the three embryonic layers. Many investigations have confirmed that there existed hepatic stem cells in adult liver, which not only possessed self-renewing ability, but also could differentiate into bile duct cells, hepatic parenchyma cells and intestinal tract epithelial cells. It not only possessed self-renewing ability but also produced all characterized cells which can develop tissue itself. Nowadays, the researches about hepatic stem cells have become a heated topic in the world. Hepatic stem cells are an indispensable key role in the physiological and path physiological process of liver cell development, growth, proliferation, regeneration, fibrosis and carcinomatous changes. In the same time, it plays an important role in liver diseases and stem cell transplantation, bio-artificial liver in Vito and gene therapy. However, there exist some disputes and difficulties about the localization, separation and culture as well as regulation in vitro of hepatic stem cells. ObjectiveTo improve a rat model for hepatic oval cells and to investigate the biology peculiarity and localization with immunohistochemistry stain.MethodsMale SD rats weighing 180g received daily oral gavage of AAF for 3 days before operation and up to 7 days after operation. Before operation, AAF was given with the dosage of 20 mg·kg-1. After operation AAF was given with the dosage of 5 mg·kg-1 and 20 mg·kg-1 respectively. Two-thirds hepatectomy was performed on the 4th day and the gavage was not performed on the day of operation. Animals in control group were given saline. Rats were killed every 2-3days after hepatectomy and liver slices were fixed and processed for routine histology and immunohistochemistry.ResultHepatic oval cells were not observed in the liver of controls and obvious oval cells proliferation were seen in the liver .hepatic oval cells were stained positive for OV6,CK19,C-kit,CD34,AFP.ConclusionsSatisfactory rat models for hepatic oval cells proliferation can be obtained through adjusting the dosage of AAF. The proliferative oval cells possess differentia ional potency by means of double direction. Hepatic oval cells are located mainly at the binding areas or nearby areas of hepatic parenchyma cells and bile duct epithelial cells.