Background: The expression and enzymatic activity of the cytochrome P450 LAomega within intrasplenically transplanted hepatocytes was investigated.
Methods: Fetal hepatocytes were harvested from spontaneously hypertensive rats and transplanted into recipient adult spontaneously hypertensive rat spleens.
Results: Microscopic examination revealed masses of hepatocytes in the red pulp. Immunochemical studies detected cytochrome P450 LAomega in transplanted hepatocytes by 6 and 10 weeks after transplantation. Cytochrome P450 LAomega mRNA accumulates at 6 weeks after transplantation. Cytochrome P450-arachidonic acid omega/omega-1 hydroxylase activity (formation of 20/19-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid) was detected at 10 weeks after transplantation.
Conclusion: These results demonstrated that fetal hepatocytes grow in the spleen and function similarly to adult hepatocytes.