Immunohistochemical localization of transforming growth factor alpha in regenerating rat liver.

Immunohistochemical localization of TGF-alpha and cell proliferation kinetics during liver regeneration after two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PH) were investigated. Twenty-four to 72 hr after PH, appreciable increase in the number of TGF-alpha-positive hepatocytes was observed in zones 1 and 2. At the peak at 36 hr, almost all positive cells were stained in their nuclei. Considerable increase in the BrdU labeling index was observed 24-36 hr after PH with a peak at 24 hr in zones 1 and 2. These results indicated an association between TGF-alpha expression and hepatocyte regeneration. It is suggested that immunohistochemical localization of TGF-alpha may be a useful marker of cell proliferation activity in rat liver.