Analysis of fetal rat liver using monoclonal antibodies

In previous studies, we developed several monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against fetal and adult rat liver to analyze the hemopoietic microenvironment of the fetal liver during the gestational period. In this study, we have developed two new mAbs against fetal rat liver cells and have examined the characteristics at various gestational ages of fetal liver and of adult liver.

The characteristics of these monoclonal antibodies were demonstrated by examining several tissues using immunohistochemical staining and flow cytofluorometry.

Monoclonal antibodies HAM10 and HAM11 were developed against fetal rat liver cells. These reacted with the cytoplasm of fetal and adult hepatocytes. HAM10 antigen expression was strong at approximately day 18 of gestation in the active period of hemopoiesis in fetal rat liver but was much lower in adult liver. HAM10 antigen expression also increased in liver after partial hepatectomy and was reduced abruptly to a normal level thereafter. HAM11 antigen expression in fetal liver was weaker than that of HAM10 antigen expression. The degree of HAM11 antigen expression increased as gestation proceeded, reaching a maximum in adult liver.

Both HAM10 and HAM11 antigens may play a role in the morphogenesis of hepatocytes and in the hemopoietic microenvironment for hemopoietic cells. Moreover, HAM10 antigen is may play a role in hepatocyte proliferation in the fetal liver, whereas HAM11 antigen may contribute to the maturation of fetal- to the adult-type hepatocytes.