CALCYCLIN AS A MARKER OF INTRAHEPATIC BILIARY DUCTS IN TRANSPLANTED LIVERS

Calcyclin-a calcium binding protein that belongs to the S-100 protein family-is present at high concentration in fibroblasts and epithelial cells. In normal liver calcyclin antibodies stain biliary epithelium, whereas hepatocytes are always negative. Proliferative, degenerative o r atrophic changes occurring in biliary epithelium of 8 children with orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) were monitored using calcyclin antibodies. The antibodies were found to stain epithelium of biliary d ucts and ductuli in normal and pathologically changed livers. Single c alcyclin positive hepatocytes (probably representing ''prebiliary epit helial cells'') could be detected only under pathological conditions.