Abou Monsef Y, Kutsal O. Immunohistochemical evaluation of hepatic progenitor cells in different types of feline liver diseases.
J Vet Med Sci 2021;
83:613-621. [PMID:
33583913 PMCID:
PMC8111336 DOI:
10.1292/jvms.20-0435]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatic progenitor cells are periportally resident cells capable of differentiating into
mature hepatocytes or cholangiocytes to ensure hepatic regeneration. This reaction is
termed a ductular reaction. In the present study, regenerative response of the feline
liver to different hepatic diseases was investigated immunohistochemically. Regeneration
of the liver through hepatocellular replication and proliferation of progenitor cell
compartment were comparatively evaluated. Histological and immunohistochemical stainings
were conducted on feline liver samples (n=40) representing various hepatobiliary diseases.
Cytokeratin (CK) 7, CK19, Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Ki67, and Human
hepatocyte marker 1 (Hep Par-1) were used. The presence of progenitor cells within feline
livers was proved, both as passive cells in normal liver and as active cells (ductular
reaction) in hepatic lesions. CK7 was found to be a suitable antibody for
immunohistochemically detecting feline progenitor cells. In acute events, regeneration was
predominantly shaped by the division of hepatocytes. In chronic events and severe acute
events, hepatocytes lost their ability to divide and regeneration mainly occurred through
progenitor cells. Location of the ductular reaction varied between different hepatic
diseases. Parenchymal ductular reaction was detected in fulminant hepatitis, chronic
hepatitis, hepatocellular lipidosis and metastatic lymphoma, whereas septal ductular
reaction was detected in chronic hepatitis and metastatic lymphoma. Ductular reaction
exhibited positive staining for Hep Par-1 in chronic and severe acute events. This study
indicates the major role played by hepatic progenitor cells in regeneration of the feline
liver. Moreover, it shows how the activation pattern of ductular reaction varies according
to the hepatobiliary disease type.
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