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. 2016 Jan 14;6:19275. doi: 10.1038/srep19275

Figure 2. Liver repopulation by lenti TTR-hYapERT2 transduced hepatocytes transplanted into normal adult rat liver.

Figure 2

(A) Hepatocyte transplantation protocol. (B) Detection of lentivirus TTR-hYapERT2 transduced hepatocytes in DPPIV− host liver by DPPIV enzyme histochemistry. Clusters of DPPIV+ cells are clearly visible at 3 mo. after cell transplantation in tamoxifen fed rats (B1). In the absence of tamoxifen feeding, clusters of transplanted cells are not apparent (B2), but individual cells and small groups of cells can be seen at higher magnification (not shown). At 6 mo. after transplantation of lenti TTR-hYapERT2 transduced hepatocytes, clusters of DPPIV+ cells are much larger in tamoxifen fed rats, and in some instances comprise whole liver lobules (B3). In the absence of tamoxifen feeding, transplanted DPPIV+ cells are still not visible at low magnification (B4). (C) Quantification of liver repopulation by scanning digital images, using a Zeiss Axio Observer Z1 microscope and image J software, was performed in DPPIV− rats transplanted with lenti TTR-hYap ERT2 transduced hepatocytes, lenti TTR-GFP transduced hepatocytes or non-transduced hepatocytes, all maintained on tamoxifen feeding (+Tam) or for rats transplanted with lenti TTR-hYapERT2 transduced hepatocytes maintained on normal chow (−Tam).