Aberrant Metaplastic Biliary Phenotype Acquired by the Transplanted Hepatocytes in Bilharzial and non Bilharzial Hamsters Spleens

Background: Hepatocytes transplantation (HCTx) is an alternative method to orthotopic liver transplantation used in treatment of several liver injuries. It can be used either fresh or as encapsulated hepatocytes. Expression of Hep Par 1, CK7 and Albumin were performed to identify and analyze the transplanted isolated adult hepatocytes in hamsters spleens. Aim: This work aimed to study the expression of Hep Par1, CK7 and Albumin in intraspelinically transplanted hepatocytes. Methods: The study was performed on histopathological archival paraffin sections hamsters spleens having two models of liver injury (CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity and Schistosoma mansoni infection). Histopathological examination achieved. Immunohistochemical expression of Hep Par1, CK7 and Albumin evaluated in intraspelinically transplanted hepatocytes. Results: Regarding the phenotype, the intrasplenically transplanted hepatocytes aberrantly expressed the biliary marker CK7 alongside with the hepatocytic marker Hep Par 1. Their expression values were the highest on the 10 day post transplantation with a subsequent gradual decrease along the remaining duration, reaching the least value on the 45 day post transplantation. Regarding the function, all the transplanted hepatocytes kept their hepatocytic function and expressed Albumin. Conclusion: Intrasplenically transplanted hepatocytes approved aberrant ''metaplastic'' biliary phenotype through expression of CK7 without losing its essential hepatocytic phenotype or function by keeping expression of Hep Par1 and Albumin. [Mona M Magdy, Mona N Moharib and Soad A Sherif. Aberrant Metaplastic Biliary Phenotype Acquired by the Transplanted Hepatocytes in Bilharzial and non Bilharzial Hamsters Spleens. Life Sci J 2014;11(10):12021210]. (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 179