Differential expression of apolipoprotein E messenger RNA within the rat liver lobule determined by in situ hybridization

Citation
M. Massimi et al., Differential expression of apolipoprotein E messenger RNA within the rat liver lobule determined by in situ hybridization, HEPATOLOGY, 29(5), 1999, pp. 1549-1555
Citations number
66
Categorie Soggetti
Gastroenerology and Hepatology","da verificare
Journal title
HEPATOLOGY
ISSN journal
02709139 → ACNP
Volume
29
Issue
5
Year of publication
1999
Pages
1549 - 1555
Database
ISI
SICI code
0270-9139(199905)29:5<1549:DEOAEM>2.0.ZU;2-G
Abstract
Apolipoprotein (Apo) E plays a key role in the metabolism of lipoproteins. It also modulates immunoregulation, cell growth and differentiation and the response to nerve injury. The liver is a major site of ApoE synthesis. Mos t of the circulating ApoE is thought to be of hepatic origin with most synt hesized in hepatocytes, We showed that total liver ApoE messenger RNA (mRNA ) levels were greater in normal adult female rats than in male and that gen der-specific patterns of liver ApoE mRNA expression were present by in situ hybridization. In the male liver, the signal was strongest in the portal a rea, decreasing toward the central vein with the weakest signal in pericent ral hepatocytes, resulting in a hepatic lobular gradient of expression. In female liver, a strong periportal signal also was observed that decreased i n Zone 2, similar to that in males, but which then increased in pericentral hepatocytes resulting in a bowl-like distribution in marked contrast with that of the male. The results suggest that ApoE mRNA level is regulated dif ferentially in hepatocytes within the liver plate and that the regulation i s gender-dependent. Further, the results suggest that in males, hepatocytes in the portal area are the major contributors of ApoE to the plasma and/or sinusoidal pool, whereas in females, both portal and central area hepatocy tes play an equal role.