Stem/Progenitor Cell Niches Involved in Hepatic and Biliary Regeneration

Figure 1

Embryology of stem/progenitor cell niches within the biliary tree. (a) Human fetal livers (20th week gestational age). Immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin (CK) 7. The ductal plate is present around portal tracts and contains CK7+ cells (arrows). Original Magnification: 10x. (b) Human fetal hepatic duct at the liver hilum (20th week gestational age). Immunofluorescence for Sox9 and CK7. Peribiliary glands (green arrows) derive from outpouches of the surface epithelium (red arrows) of the hepatic duct. Original Magnification: 20x.

(a)

(b)