Activation of the PI3K/mTOR Pathway Is Involved in Cystic Proliferation of Cholangiocytes of the PCK Rat
Figure 1
Overexpression of p-mTOR, p-Akt, p-S6, and PI3K in PCK cholangiocytes.
The immunohistochemical expression of p-mTOR (Ser2448) and p-Akt (Ser473) was examined using liver sections of 10-month-old rats. Increased expression of p-mTOR (Ser2448) and p-Akt (Ser473) was observed in bile duct epithelium of the PCK liver compared to that of the normal liver (A). Western blot analysis using protein extracts from cultured cholangiocytes showed that the expression p-mTOR (Ser2448), p-mTOR (Ser2481), p-Akt (Ser473), p-S6, PI3K p110α, and PI3K p85 was increased in PCK cholangiocytes compared to normal cholangiocytes (B). The results of the semiquantitative analysis of Western blotting are shown in C. Arrows indicate interlobular bile ducts of the normal liver. *, p<0.01; **, p<0.05 (vs. normal cholangiocytes). Original magnifications; x400 (A).