Fig. 5.

Transient Cdk2 reexpression in Cdk2^ΔhepaCcnE1^−/− liver after PH is associated with up-regulation of progenitor cell markers. (A) Cdk2^ΔhepaCcnE1^−/− mice were subjected to PH. At indicated time points, Cdk2 deletion efficiency was determined from complementary DNA using primers specific for exon 1 and 4, respectively. Upper band: WT Cdk2 gene expression; lower band: truncated Cdk2 lacking exon 2. Deletion efficiency was calculated by digital quantification of WT and KO bands. P.H., primary hepatocytes derived from Cdk2^Δhepa mice were used as positive control for complete Cdk2 deletion. (B and C) Gene expression profile of AFP and Sox9 in WT and Cdk2^ΔhepaCcnE1^−/− mice post-PH was determined by qPCR. For each group, 3-5 animals were analyzed. *P < 0.05; ***P < 0.001. (D) Protein expression profiles of Sox9 in WT and Cdk2^ΔhepaCcnE1^−/− mice before and after PH. (E) Sox9 staining of liver sections from untreated WT and Cdk2^ΔhepaCcnE1^−/− mice. Sox9-positive cells show brown nuclear staining and are highlighted by arrows.