Figure 6. 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx) increases DNA damage in hepatocytes in 4-week-old albNS^cko livers.

Mice received PHx at 4 weeks of age, and their liver samples were analyzed before the operation (PHx_0d), on the second day (PHx_2d) and fourth day (PHx_4d) after the operation. (A) In response to PHx, NS^flx/flx livers show a significant increase of Ki67⁺ cells that peaks on the second day and recovers mostly on the fourth day. Before the operation, albNS^cko livers contain more Ki67⁺ cells than NS^flx/flx livers. Following PHx, albNS^cko livers show a blunted and prolonged regenerative response compared to NS^flx/flx livers. (B) Two days after PHx, albNS^cko livers show a significant increase of γ-H2AX⁺ cells and the number of γ-H2AX⁺ cells continues to increase 4 days after PHx (PHx_4d). In contrast, PHx does not increases γ-H2AX⁺ cells in NS^flx/flx livers. Y-axis shows the number of γ-H2AX⁺ cells per 0.01mm² (mean ± SEM). * and *** indicate p < 0.05 and 0.0001, respectively. Scale bars, 50um in (A) and 20um in (B).