Ultrastructure of monolayer cultures of pancreatic islet cells

Summary Isolated islet cells from obese-hyperglycemic mice and normal guinea-pigs were culturedin vitro for periods of up to 7 days. Ultrastructural investigation showed that the cultured cells retained the morphologic characteristics of islet cellsin vivo. ₂-cells and -cells could be identified in explants from both obese-hyperglycemic mice and normal guinea-pigs. The most distinctive feature of the cultured islet cells was a marked degranulation of the -cells of both species. The degree of degranulation was not correlated with the glucose concentration in the incubation medium.This work was supported by the Swedish Medical Research Council (B69-12X-2297-02 and B69-12X-109-05), the United States Public Health Service (AM-12535) and the Medical Faculty, University of Uppsala.     

CD40 activation in human pancreatic islets and ductal cells

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: CD40 expression on non-haematopoietic cells is linked to inflammation. We previously reported that CD40 is expressed on isolated human and non-human primate islets and its activation results in secretion of IL-8, macrophage inflammatory protein 1-beta (MIP-1beta) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) through nuclear factor-kappaB and extracellularly regulated kinases 1/2 pathways. The objective of this study was to identify the pattern of gene expression, and to study viability and functionality affected by CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) interaction in human islets. Furthermore, we have studied the CD40-mediated cytokine/chemokine profile in pancreatic ductal cells, as they are always present in human islet transplant preparations and express CD40 constitutively. METHODS: CD40-CD40L gene expression modulation was studied by microarray on islet cells depleted of ductal cells. Selected genes were validated by quantitative RT-PCR. The cytokine profile in purified ductal cells was evaluated by Luminex technology, based on the use of fluorescent-coated beads, known as microspheres, and capable of multiplex detection of proteins from a single sample. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and islet viability were assessed by perifusion and 7-aminoactinomycin D membrane exclusion, respectively. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of microarrays identified 30 genes exhibiting at least a 2.5-fold increase across all replicate arrays. The majority of them were related to oxidative stress/inflammation. Prominently upregulated were chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 1 (CXCL1), CXCL2 and CXCL3 belonging to the CXC family of chemokines related to IL-8. CD40-mediated CXCL1 secretion was confirmed by ELISA. The viability or in vitro function was not affected by CD40 activation. In addition to previously reported IL-8, MIP-1beta and MCP-1, CD40 stimulation in ductal cells produced IL-1beta, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: CD40 activation in islets and ductal cells produces cytokines/chemokines with a broad-spectrum range of biological functions.     

EPA and DHA attenuate ox-LDL-induced expression of adhesion molecules in human coronary artery endothelial cells via protein kinase B pathway

Uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) by endothelial cells is a critical step for the initiation and development of atherosclerosis. Adhesion molecules are inflammatory makers, which are upregulated by ox-LDL and play a pivotal role in atherogenesis. A number of studies suggest that fish and its constituents can reduce inflammation and decrease atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that fish oil constituents namely docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) may reduce expression of adhesion molecules induced by ox-LDL. Cultured human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) were incubated with ox-LDL for 24 h. Parallel groups of cells were pretreated with DHA or EPA (10 or 50 microM) overnight before incubation with ox-LDL. Ox-LDL markedly increased the expression of P-selectin and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) (both protein and mRNA) in HCAECs, and enhanced the adhesion of monocytes to the cultured HCAECs. Both EPA and DHA decreased ox-LDL-induced upregulation of expression of P-selectin and ICAM-1, and the enhanced adhesion of monocytes to HCAECs. To determine the role of protein kinase B (PKB) as an intracellular-signaling pathway, HCAECs were treated with the PKB upstream inhibitor wortmannin (100 nM) or transfected with plasmids encoding dominant-negative mutants of PKB (PKB-DN) before treatment with DHA. Ox-LDL alone downregulated the activity of PKB; DHA attenuated this effect of ox-LDL, and both wortmannin and PKB-DN blocked the effect of DHA. The present study in human coronary endothelial cells suggests that both EPA and DHA attenuate ox-LDL-induced expression of adhesion molecules, and the adhesion of monocytes to HCAECs by modulation of PKB activation. These effects may be important mechanisms of anti-atherosclerotic effects of fish and fish oils.     

恒河猴胰岛的半自动分离和纯化

目的探讨恒河猴胰岛分离和纯化的技术方法。方法采用自制的半自动胰腺消化分离装置,对3只成年恒河猴胰腺进行消化分离,用非连续密度梯度高渗枸橼酸盐嘌呤溶液（HCA液）-蔗聚糖液（Ficoll液）纯化恒河猴胰岛,通过双硫腙染色在倒置显微镜计数胰岛的数量和纯度,用胰岛素释放试验检测胰岛的分泌功能。分离和纯化结果采用配对t检验进行统计分析。结果消化后平均每个胰腺可获得（101420±12054）胰岛当量（IEQ）,纯化后平均每个胰腺可获得（71480±8054）IEQ,平均每克恒河猴胰腺组织可获得（2310±252）IEQ,纯化后胰岛平均纯度为（89．8±8．7）％,活率为（93．1±2．8）％。纯化后的胰岛对葡萄糖刺激反应良好,高糖（16．7mmol／L）时胰岛素的释放量为低糖（3．3mmol／L）时的5．9倍（t=45．2,P〈0．01）。分离胰岛在移植到糖尿病大鼠肾包膜下后能够影响降低血糖至支持水平。结论通过采用半自动胰腺消化分离装置,胶原酶P灌注消化及非连续密度梯度法纯化,能获取较高纯度及生物活性良好的恒河猴胰岛。     

他汀类调脂药对大鼠胰岛胰岛素分泌的影响及机制研究

目的 观察不同他汀类药物对大鼠胰岛葡萄糖刺激的胰岛素分泌(GSIS)的抑制作用及机制.方法 新鲜分离或经24 h培养的胰岛均匀分为对照组、阿托伐他汀组、氟伐他汀组和普伐他汀组,对照组给予Kreb-Ringer碳酸氢盐缓冲液,他汀类药物组分别给予100μmol/L阿托伐他汀、氟伐他汀和普伐他汀,水浴30 min或过夜培养24 h.各组经2.8、5.5、11.1、16.7、25.0 mmol/L葡萄糖刺激后,37℃水浴法测定胰岛GSIS变化,生物化学发光法测定三磷酸腺苷(ATP)含量.结果 100μmol/L阿托伐他汀水浴30 min后,在16.7 mmol/L葡萄糖刺激下,与相应对照组比较,ATP含量[(9.54±1.64)pmol/胰岛比(12.33±1.89)pmol/胰岛]及胰岛素分泌(1.60±0.21比2.39±0.30)均下降(P＜0.05);100 μmol/L氟伐他汀过夜培养24 h后,在16.7 mmol/L葡萄糖刺激下,与相应对照组比较,ATP含量[(10.24±2.01)pmol/胰岛比(12.31±2.16)pmol/胰岛]及胰岛素分泌(3.12±0.32比4.17±0.37)也均下降(P＜0.05).结论 阿托伐他汀、氟伐他汀通过抑制胰岛ATP的生成而抑制GSIS,抑制程度与其脂溶性强弱有关.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the inhibitory effect of statins on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) of pancreatic islet in rat and to explore its mechanisms. Methods According to the average volume, freshly isolated or 24-hour cultured pancreatic islets were randomly divided into control group( incubated with Kreb-Ringer bicarbonate buffer), the atorvastatin group( incubated with 100 μ mol/L atorvastatin), the fluvastatin group (incubated with 100 μ mol/L fluvastatin)and the pravastatin group (incubated with 100 μ mol/L pravastatin). Stimulated by 2. 8,5. 5,11.1,16. 7 mmol/L and 25.0 mmol/L glucose respectively, the effect of 100 μ mol/L statins on ATP content and GSIS was compared in the four groups. GSIS was performed by the 37℃ bath incubation method and ATP content was measured by chemiluminescence method. Results Incubated with 100 μ mol/L atorvastatin for 30 minutes, in the presence of 16. 7 mmol/L glucose, the ATP content [(9. 54 ± 1. 64) pmol/islet vs ( 12. 33 ± 1.89) pmol/islet] and GSIS (1.60 ± 0. 21 vs 2. 39 ± 0. 30) were significantly reduced in comparison with the control group (P＜0. 05). Cultured with 100 μmol/L fluvastatin for 24 hours, the ATP content [( 10. 24 ±2.01 )pmol/islet vs (12. 31 ±2. 16) pmol/islet] and GSIS (3. 12 ± 0. 32 vs 4. 17 ±0. 37 ) were all significantly decreased at the higher glucose concentration of 16. 7 mmol/L ( P ＜ 0. 05). Conclusion Atorvastatin and fluvastatin may inhibit GSIS by decreasing ATP content in pancreatic islet and the inhibitory effect is related to the strength of its lipophilicity.     

干细胞诱导分化为胰岛的研究进展

胰岛移植是治疗糖尿病的有效方法之一。本文复习了从胚胎干细胞和成体干细胞诱导分化为胰岛的研究进展 ,希望这方面的突破为糖尿病的治疗提供新的方法。     

糖基化终末产物上调人胰岛微血管内皮细胞黏附分子的表达和白细胞黏附

目的 研究糖基化终末产物（AGEs）对人胰岛微血管内皮细胞（HIMVEC）黏附分子表达和白细胞黏附的影响.方法 HIMVEC细胞在200 mg/L的AGEs刺激后,用细胞基础的酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）和Western blotting法检测细胞表面黏附分子的表达;并与BCECF标记的白细胞共培养检测与白细胞的黏附能力.采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）和Western blotting分别检测HIMVEC细胞上AGEs受体（RAGE）、蛋白激酶Cβ（PKC β）和蛋白激酶A（PKA）的mRNA表达情况.随后给予PKC β抑制剂LY333531或PKA激活剂8-Br-cAMP,观察对HIMVEC黏附分子表达的影响及和白细胞黏附的影响.两组间比较采用t检验进行分析.结果 与对照组相比,AGEs处理后HIMVEC表达P选择素、E选择素和血管细胞黏附分子1（VCAM-1）均上调（分别为1.10 ±0.13比0.64±0.14,0.83 ±0.06比0.47 ±0.05,0.87 ±0.09比0.43±0.07,t =4.93、9.40、7.61,均P＜0.05）,并且与白细胞的黏附较对照组明显增加（54 ±4比23 ±3,t=12.69,P＜0.05）.与AGEs组比较,RAGE抗体组P选择素、E选择素和VCAM-1的表达明显降低,组间差异具有统计学意义（t=5.69、6.89、5.43,均P＜0.05）.RAGE抗体组白细胞黏附明显少于AGEs组（54±4比31 ±4,t=8.22,P＜0.05）.与对照组相比,AGEs处理HIMVEC 4 h和18h,在mRNA水平和蛋白质水平均检测到RAGE和PKCβ的表达上调,但PKA的表达下调（t=10.94、7.76、21.82、5.85、10.96、11.47,均P＜0.05）.与AGEs组相比,在AGEs处理时给予PKCβ抑制剂LY333531或PKA激活剂8-Br-cAMP,均可降低HIMVEC上P选择素、E选择素和VCAM-1的表达水平（=7.60、6.60、6.25、11.58、4.08、3.47,均P＜0.05）,并减少白细胞的黏附（t=7.67、8.89,均P＜0.05）.结论 AGEs通过RAGE受体上调PKCβ和下调PKA增加HIMVEC上黏附分子的表达,促进白细胞的黏附,可能是糖尿病状态下胰岛中白细胞浸润的机制之一.     

脂联素受体在胰岛细胞表达,脂联素促进胰岛素的分泌

目的　检测脂联素受体(AR)在大鼠胰岛细胞的表达和脂联素对体外胰岛细胞分泌胰岛素的影响。方法　RT PCR和免疫细胞化学方法检测AR1、AR2的mRNA和蛋白表达;并在体外用脂联素(100μg/L)和不同浓度葡萄糖(3. 3, 5. 6, 16. 7mmol/L)处理胰岛细胞,放免法测定上清液的胰岛素浓度。结果　RT PCR扩增出胰岛AR1和AR2基因,并经直接和亚克隆测序证实;胰岛免疫细胞化学荧光染色AR1和AR2呈阳性;经脂联素处理后的胰岛细胞,在高糖(16. 7mmol/)培养 6~24h,其胰岛素分泌持续增加(均P<0. 05)。结论　胰岛细胞上存在AR1和AR2,以前者为主。在高糖情况下,一定浓度的脂联素可在体外促进胰岛细胞的胰岛素分泌和释放。     

Decrease in circulating endothelial cell adhesion molecule and thrombomodulin levels during oral iloprost treatment in rheumatoid arthritis patients: preliminary results

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with proinflammatory cytokines involved in its pathogenesis. Recently in vitro as well as in vivo studies have shown that iloprost, a stable prostacyclin analogue, can reduce the release of these cytokines. This study was performed to further investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of iloprost by determining plasma adhesion molecules as markers of endothelial cell activation, and plasma thrombomodulin as a parameter of endothelial cell injury in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving oral iloprost therapy. Methods: Plasma thrombomodulin levels and the values of the plasma adhesion molecules VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule 1), E-selectin (CD62E), and ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1, CD 54) were measured by ELISA during a 7-day period of treatment with orally-administered iloprost in 14 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. Finally, the same parameters were determined at the end of the observation period (1 week after the end of therapy). In addition, the disease activity was measured using the DAS (disease activity score) as well as the patients self-assessed pain severity, and correlated with the changes of plasma adhesion molecule and thrombomodulin levels. Results The plasma levels of all three adhesion molecules as well as of thrombomodulin significantly decreased under therapy with oral iloprost. After 1 week (day 7 of therapy), the mean percent changes from day 0 were –20.1% for VCAM-1 (p=0.008), –21.2 for ICAM-1 (p=0.003), –24.6% for E-selectin (p=0.001), and –21.7% for thrombomodulin (p=0.003). This decrease lasted up to 1 week after the end of therapy in the case of VCAM-1 (p=0.023) and ICAM-1 (p=0.001). Further analysis of the results revealed additional significant correlations between different parameters of clinical disease activity, thrombomodulin and adhesion molecules. Conclusion This study showed hints towards clinical effects in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving oral iloprost therapy. Pathophysiologically, the decrease of adhesion molecules points at an immunomodulating effect of iloprost. The observed thrombomodulin-lowering effect of iloprost may indicate stabilisation of endothelial cell function by diminishing endothelial cell injury.     

A method for enzymatic dissociation of cells from isolated pancreatic islets

Summary An enzymatic method for isolation of single cells from the islets of Langerhans is described. The isolated cells appeared well preserved and survived for at least 7 days when maintained in culture. The dry mass of the isolated islet cells was found to be decreased 30 min after administration of alloxan to obese-hyperglycemic mice. Isolated individual islet cells from obese-hyperglycemic mice had a higher dry mass than those from their lean litter mates. Traduzione a cura di G. U.     

Studies on the transport of insulin antibodies across the placenta to the fetus and their effect on the fetal pancreatic islet system

Summary This paper continues the preliminary communications on the insulin resistance of the offspring of insulin-resistant mothers. The investigations were carried out in guinea pigs and humans. It was shown that insulin antibodies pass into the fetal circulation which results in the appearance of passive insulin-resistance. This resistance disappears in the first weeks of life. Antibodies to bovine insulin bind in part endogenous insulin of guinea pigs, as demonstrated by marked hyperglycemia in the offspring of insulin-resistant mothers. Insulin antibodies have no noticeable effect on the architecture of the pancreas in guinea pigs in the perinatal period.This work was subsidized in part by the Polish Academy of Science.     

Mice conditionally lacking the Wolfram gene in pancreatic islet beta cells exhibit diabetes as a result of enhanced endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis

Aims/hypothesis Wolfram syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterised by childhood diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy and severe neurodegeneration, resulting in premature death. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms responsible for the phenotype of carbohydrate intolerance and loss of pancreatic beta cells in this disorder.Materials and methods To study the role of the Wolfram gene (Wfs1) in beta cells, we developed a mouse model with conditional deletion of Wfs1 in beta cells by crossing floxed Wfs1 exon 8 animals with mice expressing Cre recombinase under the control of a rat insulin promoter (RIP2-Cre). Complementary experiments using RNA interference of Wfs1 expression were performed in mouse insulinoma (MIN6) cell lines (WfsKD).Results Male knockout mice (Wfs^–/–) began developing variable and progressive glucose intolerance and concomitant insulin deficiency, compared with littermate controls, by 12 weeks of age. Analysis of islets from Wfs^–/– mice revealed a reduction in beta cell mass, enhanced apoptosis, elevation of a marker of endoplasmic reticulum stress (immunoglobulin heavy chain-binding protein [BiP]), and dilated endoplasmic reticulum with decreased secretory granules by electron microscopy. WfsKD cell lines had significantly increased apoptosis and elevated expression of the genes encoding BiP and C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP), two markers of endoplasmic reticulum stress.Conclusions/interpretation These results indicate that (1) lack of expression of Wfs1 in beta cells was sufficient to result in the diabetes mellitus phenotype; (2) beta cell death occurred by an accelerated process of apoptosis; and (3) lack of Wfs1 was associated with dilated endoplasmic reticulum and increased markers of endoplasmic reticulum stress, which appears to be a significant contributor to the reduction in beta cell survival.A.C. Riggs and E. Bernal-Mizrachi contributed equally to this study.     

GLP-1 receptor agonists are growth and differentiation factors for pancreatic islet beta cells

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone that, when given exogenously, is capable of normalizing blood glucose in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Until recently most of the research on this compound had been related to its insulinotropic properties. However, GLP-1 also regulates insulin synthesis and proinsulin gene expression, as well as the components of the glucose-sensing machinery. In addition to regulating insulin release, it is involved in regulating the secretion of at least two other islet hormones--glucagon and somatostatin. Extraislet effects of GLP-1 include a role in the central nervous system stress response, hypothalamic-pituitary function, and the suppression of gastric emptying. Recent studies from our own and other laboratories show that GLP-1 can regulate islet growth and is a differentiation factor of the endocrine pancreas. This leads us to propose that GLP-1 and GLP-1 receptor agonists, in the context of long-term treatment of type 2 diabetes, will have broader biological action on the endocrine pancreas than was earlier anticipated. We propose that GLP-1 is a growth factor for pancreatic endocrine cells and can increase islet cell mass. Here we review those reports that have highlighted its role as a factor for islet cell growth and differentiation.     

瘦素、脂肪酸对大鼠胰岛细胞解偶联蛋白2 mRNA表达的影响

以瘦素、脂肪酸作用于体外培养的大鼠胰岛细胞，以甘油三酯含量，解偶联蛋白2 mRNA表达水平为指标，显示瘦素通过外周途径调节产热，脂肪酸可损害胰岛功能。     

血凝素样氧化型低密度脂蛋白受体1在人脐静脉内皮细胞表达CD40中的作用

目的研究氧化低密度脂蛋白对人脐静脉内皮细胞表达CD40中血凝素样氧化型低密度脂蛋白受体1的作用。方法在氧化低密度脂蛋白作用人脐静脉内皮细胞前预先用血凝素样氧化型低密度脂蛋白受体1阻断剂角叉(菜)胶(κ-carrageenan)和多聚肌苷酸(PIA)作用1h,应用亲合组织化学技术检测血凝素样氧化型低密度脂蛋白受体1的表达,流式细胞技术检测细胞表面CD40的表达。结果预先加入血凝素样氧化型低密度脂蛋白受体1阻断剂PIA和角叉(菜)胶的CD40的表达低于氧化低密度脂蛋白组(P<0.05)。结论在人脐静脉内皮细胞的炎症反应中,氧化低密度脂蛋白通过血凝素样氧化型低密度脂蛋白受体1途径激活了CD40的表达。     

Proliferation and differentiation in the human fetal endocrine pancreas

Summary The morphogenesis and growth of the endocrine pancreas has not been well investigated in man although it represents an important issue in diabetology. We examined human fetal pancreas from 12 to 41 weeks of gestation immunocytochemically to evaluate proliferative activity with the Ki-67 marker, and cytodifferentiation with cytokeratin 19 (ductal cells), synaptophysin (all endocrine cells), and insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide (islet cell types). Ki-67 labelling was found in all these cell types but was much higher in ductal cells than in islet cells. An intermediate population expressed synaptophysin but lacked islet hormones. With increasing gestational age the Ki-67 labelling index decreased from 17 to 4 % in ductal cells, from 9 to 1 % in synaptophysin-positive cells, and from 3 to 0.1 % in insulin- or glucagon-positive cells. From 12 to 16 weeks, all epithelial cells including the endocrine islet cells expressed cytokeratin 19. Thereafter cytokeratin 19 expression decreased and eventually disappeared from most islet cells, whereas strong expression remained in the ductal cells. We show that differentiated human islet cells have only very limited proliferative capacity, and we demonstrate the existence of transitional differentiation stages between ductal and islet cells. [Diabetologia (1997) 40: 398–404] Received: 8 November 1996 and in revised form: 7 January 1997     

吡格列酮和非诺贝特对高脂饮食大鼠胰岛细胞内信号分子的影响

目的 观察吡格列酮和非诺贝特对高脂饮食大鼠胰岛内PPAR-α、-γ和细胞内信号分子的影响.方法 40只雄性SD大鼠随机分为4组:空白对照组(NC)、单纯高脂饮食组(HF)、高脂+非诺贝特组(FF)、高脂+吡格列酮组(FP).HE染色测定胰岛面积;免疫组织化学方法检测胰岛中各种蛋白的表达.结果 HF组胰岛面积、胰岛素、PPAR-γ、PPAR-α、NF-кB、p38丝裂原活化的蛋白激酶(MAPK)、ERKl蛋白水平与对照组相比,差别有统计学意义(P<0.05);吡格列酮明显增加PPAR-γ蛋白水平,降低NF-кB、p38 MAPK、ERKl的表达水平;非诺贝特能使PPAR-α.表达水平明显升高,也能够降低NF-кB、p38MAPK的水平.结论 非诺贝特和吡格列酮在一定程度上可以纠正胰岛功能的异常和细胞内信号转导的紊乱,保护胰岛细胞.     

Human islet purification: a prospective comparison of Euro-Ficoll and bovine serum albumin density gradients

Euro-Ficoll (EF) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) are the two most commonly used media for the density gradient purification of human pancreatic islets. The aim of this study was to compare these two media with respect to the efficiency of human islet isolation. Ten human pancreata were collagenase-digested, and samples of digest were separated on either a continuous linear density gradient of BSA or a discontinuous gradient of EF (1.108/1.096/1.037/Euro-Collins). Efficiency of islet purification was assessed by insulin and amylase assay of aliquots aspirated from the BSA gradients, and from the interfaces of the EF gradients. Islets were obtained from two interfaces in the EF gradients. Islet yield from the upper interface was generally poor (median 28% of total insulin; range 2–71%), but purity was better than for an equivalent yield using BSA [1% (0–3%) amylase contamination for EF versus 6% (0–37%) for BSA;P=0.013]. Pooling both EF interfaces increased yield to 66% (17–81%) but markedly reduced purity [46% (0–50%) amylase for EF versus 31% (0–52%) for BSA]. In conclusion, the efficiency of human islet purification is similar, though disappointingly low, with BSA and with EF. Considerable scope exists, therefore, for improvement in the density gradient purification of human islets.     

Stage-specific regulation of adhesion molecule expression segregates epithelial stem/progenitor cells in fetal and adult human livers

Purpose Regulated expression of cell adhesion molecules could be critical in the proliferation, sequestration, and maintenance of stem/progenitor cells. Therefore, we determined fetal and adult stage-specific roles of cell adhesion in liver cell compartments. Methods We performed immunostaining for the adhesion molecules, E-cadherin and Ep-CAM, associated proteins, β-catenin and α-actinin, hepatobiliary markers, albumin, α-fetoprotein, and cytokeratin-19, and the proliferation marker, Ki-67. Expression of albumin was verified by in situ mRNA hybridization. Results In the fetal liver, hepatoblasts showed extensive proliferation with wide expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, and α-actinin, although Ep-CAM was expressed in these cells less intensely and focally in the cell membrane to indicate weak cell adhesion. Hepatoblasts in ductal plate and bile ducts showed less proliferation and Ep-CAM was intensely expressed in these cells throughout the cell membrane, indicating strong adhesion. In some ductal plate cells, β-catenin was additionally in the cytoplasm and nucleus, suggesting active cell signaling by adhesion molecules. In adult livers, cells were no longer proliferating and E-cadherin, β-catenin, and α-actinin were expressed in hepatocytes throughout, whereas Ep-CAM was expressed in only bile duct cells. Some cells in ductal structures of the adult liver with Ep-CAM coexpressed albumin and cytokeratin-19, indicating persistence of fetal-like stem/progenitor cells. Conclusions Regulated expression of Ep-CAM supported proliferation in fetal hepatoblasts through weak adhesion and helped in biliary morphogenesis by promoting stronger adhesion in hepatoblasts during this process. Restriction of Ep-CAM expression to bile ducts in the adult liver presumably facilitated sequestration of stem/progenitor cells. This stage-specific and cell compartment-related regulation of adhesion molecules should be relevant for defining how liver stem/progenitor cells enter, exit, and remain in hepatic niches during both health and disease.