Transplanted DPPIV-positive hepatocytes convert into biliary epithelial cells (BECs) in livers with acute hepato-biliary injury.

<p>Shown are scheme illustrating hepatocyte transplantation in retrorsine+DAPM+D-galactosamine treated rats and serial liver sections stained histochemically for DPPIV and Gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT, a marker of BECs). (A) At one week, DPPIV-positive hepatocytes (arrows) are in small clusters or short string of 3–5 cells mostly located in the periportal areas. None of the DPPIV-positive cells are GGT-positive. (B) At two weeks, DPPIV-positive cells (arrows) arranged linearly along the portal veins are observed in 30–40% of portal triads per lobe. Some of the linearly arranged DPPIV-positive cells are stained faintly for GGT. (C) At four weeks, DPPIV-positive ducts (arrows) with faint GGT staining in portal triads are found. Middle and right columns are a high magnification view of the area enclosed by the rectangle in left column. (Original magnification: left column,100x; middle and right columns, 400x) Scale bars: 100 μm.