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Evidence for a terminal differentiation process in the rat liver
S H Sigal1, S Gupta, D F Gebhard
1Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Marion Bessin Liver Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
Differentiation; Research in Biological Diversity
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Hepatocellular maturation involves increased cell granularity and autofluorescence, with a decline in S phase cells. Adult rat liver cells exhibit polyploidy and binucleation, suggesting terminal differentiation.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Progenitor cell maturation, differentiation, and senescence share similarities across various tissues.
- Understanding hepatocellular maturation is crucial for comprehending liver development and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the process of hepatocellular maturation in rat liver cells.
- To characterize changes in hepatocyte phenotype during development.
Main Methods:
- Multiparametric fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) was used to analyze embryonic, suckling, and young adult rat liver cells.
- Hemopoietic, endothelial, Kupffer, and nonviable cells were excluded from the analysis.
Main Results:
- Cell granularity and autofluorescence increased exponentially with maturation.
- The proportion of S phase cells decreased significantly from fetal to adult liver.
- Adult hepatocytes showed increased binucleation and polyploidy (diploid, tetraploid, octaploid DNA content).
- A subpopulation of small, mononuclear adult liver cells resembled fetal hepatoblasts and exhibited increased granularity in culture.
Conclusions:
- Hepatocellular maturation is characterized by increased cell granularity, autofluorescence, and a reduction in mitotic activity.
- The observed polyploidy and binucleation in adult hepatocytes support the concept of terminal differentiation.
- Liver cells undergo a process analogous to terminal differentiation seen in other rapidly renewing tissues.