Figure 2.

Hepatocyte-like differentiation of HepG2 and Hep3B cells upon overexpression of full-length or truncated syndecan-1. (A) H&E stained empty vector transfected control cells were oval or spindle shape with prominent nuclei and high nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio, and featured frequent cell divisions. In the syndecan-1-transfected cell lines, the numbers of poorly differentiated and dividing cells decreased, and groups of cells with a more hepatocyte-like morphology appeared. Cells showing signs of differentiation were characterized by a lower nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio; (B) As a sign of cell differentiation, desmoplakin immunocytochemistry showed relocalization of the protein to the cell surface in syndecan-1-transfected cells. In the native hepatoma cell lines, desmoplakin mainly localized to the cytoplasm. Red, desmoplakin and blue, nuclei; (C) Numerous albumin-positive cells were detected among the truncated syndecan-1 transfectants. Green, albumin and red, nuclei. Representative images are at 1000× magnification (scale bar 15 μm), 600× magnification (scale bar 30 μm), and 200× magnification (scale bar 100 μm).