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The adult liver contains hematopoietic stem cells that can reconstitute the bone marrow. We tested whether bone marrow cells (BMCs) derived from liver nonparenchymal cells (LNPCs) can increase the number of hepatocytes within livers. LNPCs from Fischer 344 rats (F344) were infused into the penile veins of F344 congenic Nagase’s analbuminenic rats (F344alb) immediately after whole-body irradiation, and the recipients were sacrificed 8 weeks later. Eleven of 15 (73.3%) F344alb that received the LNPC transplantation after irradiation survived, while only 1 of 8 (12.5%) F344alb that received irradiation alone was alive after 8 weeks. Normal albumin gene sequences were detected by PCR in BMCs of the recipient F344alb that received LNPC transplantation after irradiation, indicating that F344alb bone marrow was reconstituted by F344 LNPCs. Although single or pairs of albumin-positive (Alb+) hepatocytes were seen in the liver of untreated F344alb and those with irradiation or LNPC transplantation alone, clusters consisting of >3 Alb+ hepatocytes were detected in the livers of F344alb with the LNPC or BMC transplantation after irradiation together with single or double Alb+ cells. Normal albumin gene sequences were detected by PCR in the DNA isolated from such Alb+ hepatocyte clusters microdissected from the immunostained sections. The data indicate that BMCs derived from F344 LNPCs could increase the number Alb+ hepatocytes within the F344alb liver. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

hematopoietic stem cells (SCs) mobilized from the bone marrow (BM) into peripheral blood (PB) are reported to have ability to differentiate into various cell types. We investigated whether PB-SCs mobilized by treatment with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in normal rats can raise albumin-producing hepatocytes after transplantation within the liver of analbuminemic rats.Fischer 344 rats (F344) were used as donors, and F344 congenic Nagase’s analbuminemic rats (F344alb) as recipients. The donors were repeatedly treated with human recombinant G-CSF, and their PB mononuclear cells (MNCs) were infused into the portal veins of recipients immediately after 70% hepatectomy (PH).Although a few single and small clusters (less than five cells) of albumin positive (alb+) hepatocytes were seen in the livers of untreated F344alb and of the animals undergoing PH alone or transplantation of PB-MNCs with or without the prior G-CSF treatment, clusters consisting of more than 6 alb+ hepatocytes were only detected in the livers of recipients that received transplantation of mobilized PB-MNCs or BM-MNCs under the regenerating condition induced by PH. Sry3, a Y chromosome marker, could be detected corresponding to the alb+ clusters by in situ hybridization when male donors and female recipients were used. Moreover, normal albumin gene sequences were demonstrated in the microdissected alb+ clusters by polymerase chain reaction, and the serum albumin levels were elevated in the recipients.Hematopoietic SCs mobilized from BM into PB by the G-CSF treatment may raise hepatocyte colonies, when transplanted into regenerating livers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]