Engraftment and transdifferentiation of ectopic transplanted mature hepatocytes in a liver environment with ongoing biliary fibrosis

Our current studies are aimed to determine whether ectopic transplanted hepatic epithelial cells can migrate, engraft and repopulate a liver environment with ongoing biliary fibrosis. Biliary fibrosis was induced by common bile duct ligation (BDL) in DPPIV– F344 rats. Using Masson's trichrome/Sirius red staining and immunohistochemistry for α-SMA, CK-19 and laminin, as well as qRT-PCR analysis of laser-microdissected liver tissues of fibrotic portal areas compared to surrounding parenchyma, we observed characteristic morphological changes in the liver and vigorous expression of fibrogenesis- and biliary epitheli…