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Development of the nervous system in mouse liver
Naoto Koike1, Tomomi Tadokoro2, Yasuharu Ueno2
1Department of Surgery, Seirei Sakura Citizen Hospital, Sakura 285-8765, Chiba, Japan.
World Journal of Hepatology
|March 23, 2022
Summary
Mouse hepatic nerve fibers emerge near birth, initially in the liver center, then extending outwards. Their interactions with bile ducts and arteries are crucial for portal tract development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Hepatology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The role of hepatic nerves in liver development is not well understood.
- Previous models lacked Glisson's sheath (portal tract).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the development of the mouse hepatic nervous network within the portal tract.
- To evaluate the timing and spatial distribution of nerve fibers and their association with portal tract structures.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry using markers for nerve fibers (PGP9.5), biliary epithelial cells (CK19, SOX9), hepatocytes (HNF4α), and Notch ligand (Jagged-1).
- Analysis of liver samples from embryonic day (E) 10.5 to postnatal day (P) 56.
- Quantification of nerve fibers, intrahepatic bile ducts, and hepatic arteries in the center and periphery of the portal tract.
Main Results:
- Hepatic nerve fibers (PGP9.5) first appeared in the central portal tract around E16.5, preceding hepatic artery (HA) appearance at P0.
- Portal tracts, including intrahepatic bile ducts (IHBDs) and nerve fibers, formed first centrally and later peripherally, reaching adult levels by P28.
- Nerve fibers initially contacted HAs more frequently, with increasing association with IHBDs over time.
Conclusions:
- Mouse hepatic nerve fibers emerge centrally just before birth and migrate peripherally.
- Interactions between nerve fibers and IHBDs/HAs are vital for portal tract structure morphogenesis.
