Patterns of proliferation and cell differentiation during hepatic ontogeny in the alpaca

CASTRO, A.N.C.; DÍAZ, M.C.; TORRES, G.J. MENDOZA; BURGOS, B. MORENO; ZANUZZI, C.; ILLIA, M. CARRICA; LENDEZ, P.A.; CARRIL, J.; GHEZZI, M.D.; DIEZ, J.J. BADIOLA; BARBEITO, C.G.

TISSUE & CELL

CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE

Lugar: ESCOCIA; Año: 2021 vol. 71

0040-8166

The liver has multiple functions that change throughout ontogeny. South American camelids (SAC) have uniquecharacteristics related to adaptation to extreme environments and metabolism. However, the process of hepaticcell differentiation has not been studied in any SAC. We study the patterns of cell differentiation and proliferationin the liver of the alpaca at different times of the ontogeny, excluding the hematopoietic components. Immunohistochemicaltechniques were performed in 66 specimens, including embryos, fetuses, neonates andadults. Supplementary analyses were performed by lectinhistochemistry. The hepatocytic differentiation wasperformed by the identification of Hepatocyte (Clone: OCH1ES Dako®). It began in the specimens of 1.8−2.5 cmof crown to rump length (CRL), from Days 25?29 (ovulation = Day 0), continued during gestation and intensifiedtowards its end. The cholangiocytic differentiation was performed by the identification of cytokeratin 7(CK7, Dako®). It was manifested at the final of gestation (specimens of 28.4 cm CRL, from Day 223 onwards).Parenchymal cells underwent a process of gradual differentiation (differentiation of hepatocytes preceded that ofcholangiocytes). Cell proliferation was observed along gestation using the nuclear proliferation antigen (PCNA)and Ki-67. Hepatic organogenesis in the alpacas shares similar differentiation and proliferation mechanisms withother altricial, but phylogenetically distant, species.