Isolation and immunohistochemical characterization of two developmentally regulated highly insoluble antigens from the membrane of sinusoidal rat liver cells

Abstract

Using sequential extractions with buffers containing or not containing neutral detergent, two highly insoluble protein components were found in livers of 30-day-old rats. These compounds (molecular weights (MW) 52 900 and 33 200 respectively) were practically absent from livers of young rats (between 5 and 8 postnatal days). After two-third hepatectomy performed on 30-day-old rats followed by a 24 h recovery, the level of these compounds is drastically decreased (about 50%). Monospecific antibodies against these components were obtained. Using immunohistochemical techniques, these antigens were localized in the membranes (essentially plasma membranes and sometimes internal membranes) of sinusoidal cells of adult rat livers. After partial hepatectomy, these antigens are no more present in the sinusoidal cells of the regenerating parts of the liver.