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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
A High-Throughput In Situ Method for Estimation of Hepatocyte Nuclear Ploidy in Mice
Published on: April 19, 2020
Cellular organization of normal mouse liver: a histological, quantitative immunocytochemical, and fine structural
Janie L Baratta1, Anthony Ngo, Bryan Lopez
1Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
Insights
This study details the cellular organization of normal mouse liver using advanced microscopy and immunocytochemistry. Mouse liver structure closely resembles other mammals, confirming its utility as a model for liver research.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Cell Biology
- Animal Models
Background:
- The liver's cellular composition and organization are crucial for its function.
- Understanding the normal structure of the mouse liver is essential for its use as a research model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively characterize the cellular organization of the normal mouse liver.
- To compare mouse liver histology and cell types with other mammalian species.
Main Methods:
- Light and electron microscopy were employed for detailed structural analysis.
- Quantitative immunocytochemistry was used to identify specific cell types: hepatocytes (albumin/biotin), Kupffer cells (F4-80), Ito cells (GFAP), and endothelial cells (CD-34).
- Intravascular administration of fluorescently labeled latex microspheres differentiated Kupffer and endothelial cells based on size uptake.
Main Results:
- Mouse liver exhibits a lobular organization similar to other mammals.
- Hepatocytes comprised ~52% of labeled cells, Kupffer cells ~18%, Ito cells ~8%, and endothelial cells ~22%.
- Approximately 35% of hepatocytes were binucleated; non-parenchymal cells were predominantly mononucleated.
Conclusions:
- The cellular organization and fine structural features of the mouse liver are highly conserved across mammalian species.
- The mouse liver serves as a reliable and valuable animal model for investigating liver structure and function.
- Specific cell types can be reliably identified and quantified using a combination of immunocytochemistry and microsphere labeling.
Abstract:
The cellular organization of normal mouse liver was studied using light and electron microscopy and quantitative immunocytochemical techniques. The general histological organization of the mouse liver is similar to livers of other mammalian species, with a lobular organization based on the distributions of portal areas and central venules. The parenchymal hepatocytes were detected with immunocytochemical techniques to recognize albumin or biotin containing cells. The macrophage Kupffer cells were identified with F4-80 immunocytochemistry, Ito stellate cells were identified with GFAP immunocytochemistry, and endothelial cells were labeled with the CD-34 antibody. Kupffer cells were labeled with intravascularly administered fluorescently labeled latex microspheres of both large (0.5 mum) and small (0.03 mum) diameters, while endothelial cells were labeled only with small diameter microspheres. Neither hepatocytes nor Ito stellate cells were labeled by intravascularly administered latex microspheres. The principal fine structural features of hepatocytes and non-parenchymal cells of mouse liver are similar to those reported for rat. Counts of immunocytochemically labeled cells with stained nuclei indicated that hepatocytes constituted approximately 52% of all labeled cells, Kupffer cells about 18%, Ito cells about 8%, and endothelial cells about 22% of all labeled cells. Approximately, 35% of the hepatocytes contained two nuclei; none of the Kupffer or Ito cells were double nucleated. The presence of canaliculi and a bile duct system appear similar to that reported for other species. The cellular organization of the mouse liver is quite similar to that of other mammalian species, confirming that the mouse presents a useful animal model for studies of liver structure and function.
