Characteristics of hepatocytes containing α-fetoprotein in regenerating mouse liver

After poisoning SWR mice of different ages with single or repeated doses of CCl₄ vapor the synthesis of the embryo-specific protein -fetoprotein (-FP) was induced. The greatest rise in the -FP level was observed in mice under 1 month old. In sections through the liver regenerating after CCl₄ poisoning, -FP was found in hepatocytes indistinguishable from the main population: in small cells in young animals and in large, polyploid hepatocytes in the repeatedly poisoned mice. The only distinguishing feature of the -FP-containing cells after poisoning of the mice with different doses of CCl₄ was that most of them were on the boundary with the necrotic zone. A similar localization of -FP-containing hepatocytes was observed when two other hepatotoxins were used: paracetamol and allyl alcohol.Laboratory of Immunochemistry and Diagnosis of Tumors, N. F. Gamaleya Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR P. A. Vershilova.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 84, No. 7, pp. 97–101, July, 1977.