Expression and inducibility of cytochrome P450 isoforms in 1-year-old intrasplenic liver cell transplants in rats

Abstract.

Syngenic fetal liver tissue suspensions were transplanted into the spleens of 60- to 90-day-old male Fischer 344 inbred rats. Transplant recipients were compared with age-matched control rats. One year after surgery, the animals were treated orally with β-naphthoflavone (BNF), phenobarbital (PB), dexamethasone (DEX) or the respective solvents 24 or 48 h before being killed. Expression of cytochrome P450 (P450) isoforms in spleens and orthotopic livers was assessed by immunohistochemistry and P450-dependent monooxygenase functions by the model reactions ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (EROD), ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation (ECOD), pentoxyresorufin O-depentylation (PROD) and ethylmorphine N-demethylation (EMND). Spleens of control animals displayed almost no expression of P450 isoforms and P450-mediated monooxygenase functions. Similar to liver, in the transplanted hepatocytes no P450 1A1 but distinct P450 2B1 and 3A2 expression was observed. Furthermore, the transplant-containing spleens displayed significant EROD, ECOD, PROD and EMND activities. Similar to normal liver, BNF treatment enhanced P450 1A1 and 2B1, PB induced P450 2B1 and 3A2, and DEX induced P450 3A2 expression in the transplanted hepatocytes. Correspondingly, in the transplant-containing spleens EROD, ECOD and PROD activities were significantly enhanced following BNF treatment, EROD, ECOD, PROD and EMND activities after PB administration, and EMND activity by DEX treatment. These results demonstrate that hepatocytes originating from fetal liver tissue suspensions can survive in the spleen at least for 1 year. They have differentiated into adult hepatocytes and even 1 year after transplantation express different P450 isoforms which are inducible by BNF, PB and DEX, corresponding to normal adult liver.