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Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Human Liver Spheroids from Peripheral Blood for Liver Disease Studies
Published on: January 27, 2023
Developmental expression of canalicular transporter genes in human liver
Huey-Ling Chen1, Hui-Ling Chen, Yu-Jung Liu
1Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan, ROC.
Insights
Major hepatic transporters like BSEP, MRP2, and MDR3 are expressed in fetal liver by mid-gestation. Their expression levels and localization differ from adults, indicating developmental regulation.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- BSEP, MRP2, and MDR3 are key hepatic canalicular transporters essential for bile secretion.
- Expression patterns of these transporters in human liver during development are largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of major hepatic canalicular transporters (BSEP, MRP2, MDR3) and related genes (NTCP, FIC1, FXR) in human fetal liver.
- To compare their expression and localization with adult livers and in infants with biliary atresia.
Main Methods:
- Real-time RT-PCR was used to quantify mRNA expression of BSEP, MDR3, MRP2, NTCP, FIC1, and FXR in fetal, adult, and biliary atresia liver samples.
- Immunohistochemical staining was performed for BSEP, MDR3, and MRP2 on fetal and adult liver tissues.
Main Results:
- All tested genes were expressed in mid-gestational fetal livers.
- MDR3 and NTCP mRNA levels were significantly lower in fetal livers compared to adults.
- Immunohistochemistry revealed canalicular MRP2, mixed intracellular/canalicular BSEP, and faint canalicular MDR3 staining in fetal livers.
Conclusions:
- Key hepatic canalicular transporter genes are expressed during human fetal development.
- Expression levels and cellular localization of these transporters undergo differential regulation and maturation during development.
Background/Aims:
BSEP, MRP2, and MDR3 are major hepatic canalicular transporters mediating bile secretion. Their expression in human liver during development has not been reported.
Methods:
Human liver samples from fetus at gestational age 14-20 weeks, adult livers and liver samples of infants with biliary atresia were tested for mRNA expression of BSEP, MDR3, MRP2, NTCP, FIC1, and FXR genes by using real-time RT-PCR. Immunohistochemical staining of BSEP, MDR3, and MRP2 were performed on fetal and adult livers.
Results:
All the genes tested were expressed at mid-gestational age. MDR3 and NTCP showed significant lower levels in fetal livers compared to adults. In patients with biliary atresia, all the genes tested showed higher mean expression levels than adults except for NTCP, but not statistically significant. The immunohistochemical staining of MRP2 in fetal liver was canalicular, BSEP showed both intracellular and canalicular staining, and MDR3 staining was faint, only occasional canalicular pattern could be seen.
Conclusions:
The major canalicular transporter genes are expressed at mid-gestational stage during human fetal development, but are different in expression level and targeting pattern, indicating differential regulation and maturation.
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