Abstract
Changes in the expression of gap junction protein and their relation to DNA synthesis of hepatocytes in regenerating rat liver were examined immunohistochemically with monoclonal connexin 32 antibody. In normal rats, stringlike immunostaining (S-type) was found along the lateral membranes of the hepatic cells. The number of S-type decreased in galactosamine induced liver injury, and the number of large round immunostaining particles (L-type) observed in the cytosol of hepatic cells increased. During the healing of hepatic cells from damage induced by galactosamine, the number of L-type spots were increased slightly for 24-96 hours, and the maximum DNA synthesis was observed after 96 hours. S-type spots gradually returned to twothirds of the normal level 196 hrs after galactosamine injection, and this was accompanied by the decrease of L type particles. The results suggest that alteration of liver gap junctions induced by galactosamine was not related to cell proliferation, unlike previously reported alteration after partial hepatectomy.
