Fig. 9. Liver fragments of knockout fetuses develop cystic structures in the
testes of Scid mice. Liver fragments of 12.5-day wild-type and
knockout fetuses were transplanted and maintained for 2 months in the testes
of Scid mice, and histologically and histochemically analyzed for
expression of cell type-specific markers. The wild-type liver developed normal
hepatic tissues, in which the portal vein and hepatic vein differentiated
(A,B). Hepatocytes store PAS-positive glycogen. Periportal
biliary cells (arrows) are immunostained for bile duct-specific cytokeratin
(C), type IV collagen (E) and nidogen (F) but are
negative for DBA-binding sites (D). By contrast, the knockout liver
developed abundant cystic structures strongly expressing bile duct markers in
the testis (G-L). Normal hepatic tissues are also observed with cystic
structures in a few knockout transplants (G; Hematoxylin and Eosin staining).
HV, hepatic vein; PV, portal vein. Scale bars: 50 µm.