Enzymatic activity and expression of cytochrome P450 LAω within intrasplenically transplanted fetal hepatocytes in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract

We examined the expression and enzymatic activity of the cytochrome P450 LAω within transplanted hepatocytes. Fetal hepatocytes were harvested at day 20 of gestation from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and transplanted into recipient adult SHR spleens. Microscopic examination of the recipient spleens 4 and 10 wk after transplantation revealed masses of hepatocytes with cordlike structures in the red pulp. Immunochemical studies detected cytochrome (cyto) P450 LAω in the fetal hepatocytes before transplantation without prior induction. Although the cyto P450 LAω was not detected by the second week after transplantation, by the 6th and 10th wk after transplantation, it was. Cyto P450-arachidonic acid ω/ω-1 hydroxylase activity (formation of 20- and 19-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid) was detected at 10 wk after transplantation, but not 2 or 6 wk after transplantation. These results demonstrated that fetal hepatocytes can be transplanted successfully into recipient spleens and then grow in the spleens, as in the case of the adult hepatocyte response.