Transient expression of bile-duct-specific cytokeratin in fetal mouse hepatocytes

Cell Tissue Res. 1994 Oct;278(1):117-23. doi: 10.1007/BF00305783.

Abstract

The differentiation of hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells has been histochemically analyzed with anti-calf cytokeratin antiserum in the fetal mouse liver. Almost all young fetal hepatocytes transiently express bile-duct-specific cytokeratin; subsequently, the strong staining of the cytokeratin is confined to progenitor cells of intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells around portal veins. These results suggest that all fetal hepatocytes are bi-potent in terms of the differentiation of mature hepatocytes and intrahepatic bile-duct cells, and that the microenvironment around portal veins plays an important role in bile-duct differentiation. Large periportal hepatocytes continue to stain weakly for cytokeratin until 2 weeks after birth, although the number of positive hepatocytes decreases with development. The differentiation of bile ducts from periportal hepatocytes may continue for 2 weeks after birth.

MeSH terms

  • Albumins / analysis
  • Animals
  • Bile Ducts / embryology*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Embryonic Induction
  • Fetal Proteins / analysis*
  • Keratins / biosynthesis*
  • Liver / cytology
  • Liver / embryology
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Morphogenesis
  • Organ Specificity
  • Portal Vein
  • Stem Cells / metabolism
  • alpha-Fetoproteins / analysis

Substances

  • Albumins
  • Fetal Proteins
  • alpha-Fetoproteins
  • Keratins