Homeobox transcription factor Prox1 in rat models of liver damage and regeneration

Aims: Prox1, a homeobox transcription factor, is essential for embryonic liver development, and expressed in hepatoblasts and adult hepatocytes. Changes of Prox1 gene expression in liver damage and regeneration may be of interest to understand hepatocyte origin. Methods: Prox1 mRNA expression and immunohistochemical protein localisation was examined in normal rat liver and various models of rat liver damage: 1. Acute and chronic liver damage induced by application of carbon-tetra-chloride (CCl4), 2. Conventional 2/3 partial hepatectomy (PH) 3. PH in combination with 2-acetyl-aminofluorene (AAF) treatment (AAF/PH…