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Precursor and interstitial Cajal cells in the human embryo liver

Mugurel Constantin Rusu1, Irina Dută, Andreea Cristiana Didilescu

  • 1Discipline of Anatomy, Faculty of Dental Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; anatomon@gmail.com.

Romanian Journal of Morphology and Embryology = Revue Roumaine De Morphologie Et Embryologie
|June 28, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Interstitial Cajal Cells (ICCs) and telocytes (TCs) were identified in human embryonic liver (HEL) tissue. These cells, expressing DOG1, suggest a role in early liver development and warrant further investigation in fetal liver research.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Hepatology
  • Cell biology

Background:

  • Interstitial Cajal Cells (ICCs) presence is established in adult human liver, but their immunophenotypes in the human embryonic liver (HEL) are poorly understood.
  • A hypothesis suggests ICCs exist in HEL and are distinct from precursor/progenitor cell populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and immunophenotypes of cell types, including potential ICCs, in the human embryonic liver.
  • To characterize cell populations in the HEL using specific antibody markers.

Main Methods:

  • A qualitative study was conducted on five human embryos (23-29 mm).
  • Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies against CD117/c-kit, CD31, CD34, CD90, CD105, DOG1, Ki67, and adiponectin.

Main Results:

  • Blasts and hematopoietic cells were the predominant cell types.
  • Interstitial cells with characteristic morphology were found, expressing DOG1 and sparsely CD117/c-kit, leading to their identification as ICCs or telocytes (TCs).
  • Blasts were generally CD34-/CD105+, with some CD117/c-kit+ and CD90+ cells. Hematopoietic precursors were Ki67+, and adiponectin was found on blast plasmalemmas. Endothelia were CD31+/CD34+.

Conclusions:

  • The study identified Interstitial Cajal Cells (ICCs) and/or telocytes (TCs) in the human embryonic liver, characterized by DOG1 expression.
  • Further research is needed to correlate precursor cell types and immunophenotypes during human liver organogenesis.
  • Investigation of ICCs/TCs in the human fetal liver is recommended.

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