Hepatic Tissue Environment in NEMO-Deficient Mice Critically Regulates Positive Selection of Donor Cells after Hepatocyte Transplantation
Figure 2
Hepatocyte transplantation in NEMOΔhepa mice results in improved liver function.
(A) Macroscopical and histological analysis of livers from NEMOloxP/loxP and NEMOΔhepa mice that underwent HT compared to untreated and solely bone marrow transplanted livers. Livers were analysed 52 weeks after HT with either Casp8loxP/loxP (WT) or Casp8Δhepa donor mice in comparison to either naïve or solely BM-transplanted control mice of the appropriate age respectively. Control NEMOΔhepa mice display a progressive fatty degeneration and fibrosis development of their livers over time. This is illustrated by mononuclear cell infiltration, tissue necrosis and hepatocyte ballooning (left side, lower panel). Hepatocyte transplanted NEMOΔhepa mice displayed in this direct comparison less intrahepatic fat accumulation and tissue destruction, thus indicating a beneficial effect of HT in recipient NEMOΔhepa mice. (B) Liver versus bodyweight ratio, 52 weeks after HT. (**p<0.01, ***p<0.001). (C, D) Serum transaminases were measured as an indicator of liver function, showing a clear enhancement in transplanted compared to control mice. (**p<0.01)