A Single-Cell Landscape of Human Liver Transplantation Reveals a Pathogenic Immune Niche Associated with Early Allograft Dysfunction

Liver transplantation(LT)is the standard therapy for individuals afflicted with end-stage liver disease.Despite notable advancements in LT technology,the incidence of early allograft dysfunction(EAD)remains a critical concern,exacerbating the current organ shortage and detrimentally affecting the prognosis of recipients.Unfortunately,the perplexing hepatic heterogeneity has impeded characterization of the cellular traits and molecular events that contribute to EAD.Herein,we constructed a pioneering single-cell transcriptomic landscape of human transplanted livers derived from non-EAD and EAD patients,with 12 liver samples collected from 7 donors during the cold perfusion and portal reperfusion stages.Comparison of the 75231 cells of non-EAD and EAD patients revealed an EAD-associated immune niche comprising mucosal-associated invariant T cells,granzyme B^(+)(GZMB^(+))granzyme K^(+)(GZMK^(+))natural killer cells,and S100 calcium binding protein A12^(+)(S100A12^(+))neutrophils.Moreover,we verified this immune niche and its association with EAD occurrence in two independent cohorts.Our findings elucidate the cellular characteristics of transplanted livers and the EAD-associated pathogenic immune niche at the single-cell level,thus,offering valuable insights into EAD onset.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of CYP3A4 Intron 2 and Its Influence on CYP3A4 mRNA Expression and Liver Enzymatic Activity in Human Liver

Summary： In adult liver, CYP3A4 plays an important role in the metabolism of a wide range of en- dogenous and exogenous compounds. To investigate whether there is a single nucleotide polymorphism （SNP） of CYP3A4 intron 2 in the liver and its effects on the mRNA expression and enzymatic activity of CYP3A4, genomic DNA was extracted from 96 liver tissue samples obtained from patients who had undergone liver surgery. An SNP of CYP3A4 intron 2 was identified by polymerase chain reaction （PCR）-single-strand confirmation polymorphism and DNA sequencing. The mRNA expression of CYP3A4 was determined by the fluorescence quantitative PCR technique. The enzymatic activity of CYP3A4 was measured using erythromycin and testosterone as probe substrates. Twelve patients were found to have the SNP/T4127G CYP3A4 within intron 2. The mRNA levels of CYP3A4 in wild-type and SNP/T4127G samples were 2.62±1.09 and 2.79±1.63, respectively （P〉0.05）. Erythromycin N-demethylase activity in wild-type and SNP/T4127G samples were 121.2±32.8 and 124.7±61.6 nmol·mg^-1min^-1, respectively （P〉0.05）. The activity of testosterone 613-hydroxylase was significantly different between wild-type （648±173 pmol·mg^-1·min^-1） and SNP/T4127G samples （540-4-196 pmol.mg-l-minl; P〈0.05）. In conclusion, the SNP/T4127G of CYP3A4 intron 2 exists in the liver. This SNP does not affect the mRNA expression of CYP3A4 but significantly decreases the hepatic micro- somal testosterone 613-hydroxylase activity of CYP3A4. Furthermore, this study indicates that the ap- propriate selection of probe substrates is very important in studying the relationship between the geno- type and phenotype of CYP3A4.

Construction and characterization of a cDNA library from human liver tissue with chronic hepatitis B

Objective: To construct a cDNA library from human liver tissue with chronic hepatitis B and check its quality for investigating the expression level of liver tissue infected by hepatitis B virus. This will then be used to find the relevant genes and interesting proteins associated with the development of hepatitis B. Methods: The total RNA from liver tissue with chronic hepa- titis B was extracted and the mRNA was purified using TRIZOL method. Switching mechanism at 5′ end of the RNA transcript (SMART) technique and CDS III/3′ primer were used for first-strand cDNA synthesis. Long distance polymerase chain reaction (LD PCR) was then used to synthesize the double-strand cDNA that was then digested by Sfi I and fractionated by CHROMA SPIN-400 column. The longer than 0.4 kb cDNAs were collected and ligated to λTriplEx2 vector. Then λ phage packaging reaction and library amplification were performed. The qualities of both unamplified and amplified cDNA libraries were strictly checked by conventional titer determination. Fourteen plaques were randomly picked and tested using PCR with universal primers derived from the sequence flanking the vector. Results: The titers of unamplifed and amplified libraries were 1.94×106 pfu/ml and 1.49×109 pfu/ml respectively. The percentages of recombinants from both libraries were 98.15% in unamplified library and 98.76% in amplified library. The lengths of the inserts were 1.23 kb in average, 1?2 kb in 64.29%, and 0.5?1.0 kb in 35.71%. Conclusion: A high quality cDNA library from human liver tissue with chronic hepatitis B was successfully constructed.

Interaction between Colon Cancer Cells and Human Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells Promotes Liver Metastasis of Tumor Cells

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of co-culture between colon cancer cells （SW1116） and human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells （HLSECs） on cancer cell metastasis, and to provide a novel model for studying the mechanism of colon cancer liver metastasis. METHODS HLSECs and SW1116 were co-cultured for 21 rounds in vitro. Transwell migration, gelatin-zymography, CCK-8 proliferation and colony formation assays were used to examine the invasion, proliferation, and colony forming ability of cancer cells. Assays were carried out to examine tumor growth ability and liver metastasis. The associated molecular change was examined by western blotting. RESULTS After 21 selection rounds, colon cancer cells SWl 1161）21 displayed a clear boundary. Compared with the 5W1116 cells, SW1116P21 cells had a greater invasive ability, cell proliferation and colony formation in soft agar. A gelatin-zymography assay showed that the ability of SW1116P21 cells to secrete matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 was significantly greater than that of SWl116 cells. Additionally, the capacity for subcutaneous tumor formation of SW1116P21 was significantly increased. It was found that mice injected with SW1116P21 cells developed significantly more visually observable liver nodules than mice injected with SW1116 cells. Western blotting showed increased vimentin expression and decreased E-cadherin expression in the SW1116P21 cells, compared with the SWl 116 cells. CONCLUSION The interaction between SW1116 and HLSECs may promote tumor cell invasion, proliferation and colony formation in vitro, and tumor formation and liver metastasis in vivo. An epithelial-mesenchymal transition occurs in SWl 116P21 cells, which contributes to the change in the characteristics of tumor cells.

Adult human liver slice cultures:Modelling of liver fibrosis and evaluation of new anti-fibrotic drugs

BACKGROUND Liver fibrosis can result in end-stage liver failure and death.AIM To examine human liver fibrogenesis and anti-fibrotic therapies,we evaluated the three dimensional ex vivo liver slice(LS)model.METHODS Fibrotic liver samples(F0 to F4 fibrosis stage according to the METAVIR score)were collected from patients after liver resection.Human liver slices(HLS)were cultivated for up to 21 days.Hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection,alcohol(ethanol stimulation)and steatosis(palmitate stimulation)were examined in fibrotic(F2 to F4)liver slices infected(or not)with HCV.F0-F1 HLS were used as controls.At day 0,either ursodeoxycholic acid(choleretic and hepatoprotective properties)and/or α-tocopherol(antioxidant properties)were added to standard of care on HLS and fibrotic liver slices,infected(or not)with HCV.Expression of the biomarkers of fibrosis and the triglyceride production were checked by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and/or enzymelinked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS The cultures were viable in vitro for 21 days allowing to study fibrosis inducers and to estimate the effect of anti-fibrotic drugs.Expression of the biomarkers of fibrosis and the progression to steatosis(estimated by triglycerides production)was increased with the addition of HCV and/or ethanol or palmitate.From day 15 of the follow-up studies,a significant decrease of both transforming growth factorβ-1 and Procol1A1 expression and triglycerides production was observed when a combined anti-fibrotic treatment was applied on HCV infected F2-F4 LS cultures.CONCLUSION These results show that the human three dimensional ex vivo model effectively reflects the in vivo processes in damaged human liver(viral,alcoholic,nonalcoholic steatohepatitis liver diseases)and provides the proof of concept that the LS examined model permits a rapid evaluation of new anti-fibrotic therapies when used alone or in combination.

EFFECTS OF PSEUDOFYPE RETROVIRUS CONTAINING HUMAN N-RAS ANTISENSE GENE ON THE GROWTH OF HUMAN LIVER CANCER LTNM4 TRANSPLANTED IN NUDE MICE

An amphotropic pseudotype retrovirus containing human N-ras antisense gene was constructed and packaged with helper cells. It has been previously demonstrated that the virus did inhibit the growth of human hepatocarcinoma cell line PLC PRF/5 in vitro accompanied with the blockage of p21 expression. Based on these results, further study was carried on to examine the effect of these viruses on the growth of human hepatoma transplanted LTNM4 in nude mice. It has been shown that the retrovirus containing human antisense N-ras gene could inhibit the hepatoma in nude mice at a rate of 78% (P<0.05) as compared with saline control. No inhibition was observed in group treated with retrovirus which contained no N-ras sequence. These results in vivo lend further support that human N-ras antisense gene mediated by retrovirus could block the expression of the relevant oncogene and lead to the inhibition of cancer growth. It also provided the basis for further approaches of gene therapy for human cancer.

Flavonoids Reduce Lipid Peroxides and Increase Glutathione Levels in Pooled Human Liver Microsomes (HLMs)

The effects of each of the flavonoids;genistein (G), quercetin (Q) and kaempferol (K) at several doses on lipid peroxides (LP) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in pooled human liver microsomes (HLMs) were investigated following the oxidative damage for 4, 6, 18 and 24 hr. HLMs (1 mg/ml) were exposed to each of the above flavonoids at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 μM and incubated for the respective times as previously stated. Our hypothesis was that HLMs exposed to the flavonoids for the respective exposure times can decrease LP and increase GSH in HLMs to better cope with the oxidative stress. The results of our studies indicate that each of the flavonoids significantly (p < 0.01) decreased LP compared to their respective controls. The highest decrease in LP was observed for K followed by Q and G. Significant increases (p < 0.01) in GSH were observed for the flavonoid doses tested with the highest levels observed for Q for the 24-hr. incubation. The findings suggest that the flavonoids modulate oxidative stress in HLMs by decreasing LP and such decreases in LPs may be due to the increasing and or the replenished levels of GSH in the said cells to better cope with the oxidative stress.

ADV36 adipogenic adenovirus in human liver disease

obesity and liver steatosis are usually described as related diseases.obesity is regarded as exclusive consequence of an imbalance between food intake and physical exercise,modulated by endocrine and genetic factors.Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),is a condition whose natural history is related to,but not completely explained by over-nutrition,obesity and insulin resistance.There is evidence that environmental infections,and notably adipogenic adenoviruses(ADV)infections in humans,are associated not only with obesity,which is sufficiently established,but also with allied conditions,such as fatty liver.In order to elucidate the role,if any,of previous ADV36 infection in humans,we investigated association of ADV36-ADV37 seropositivity with obesity and fatty liver in humans.Moreover,the possibility that lifestyle-nutritional intervention in patients with NAFLD and different ADV36 seropositive status,achieves different clinical outcomes on ultrasound bright liver imaging,insulin resistance and obesity was challenged.ADV36 seropositive patientshave a more consistent decrease in insulin resistance,fatty liver severity and body weight in comparison with ADV36 seronegative patients,indicating a greater responsiveness to nutritional intervention.These effects were not dependent on a greater pre-interventional body weight and older age.These results imply that no obvious disadvantage-and,seemingly,that some benefit-is linked to ADV36 seropositivity,at least in NAFLD.ADV36 previous infection can boost weight loss and recovery of insulin sensitivity under interventional treatment.

Effects of two novel sugar drug candidates on CYP450 isoforms in different sexed Chinese human liver microsome in vitro

The sex-based differences between the effects of two novel sugar-based drug candidates,a sulfated polymannuroguluronate(SPMG-911)and an acidic oligosaccharide sugar chain compound(AOSC-971),on the enzymes CYP 1A2,CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 of Chinese human liver microsome were investigated.The results showed that neither SPMG-911 nor AOSC-971 have any effect on CYP3A4,AOSC-971 induced the CYP 2E1 in men but have no effect on CYP1A2,SPMG-911 inhibit the CYP1A2 also in men but have no effect on CYP2E1.The results are useful for their safety evaluation,as well as for the prediction of inter-drug interactions associated with the two drugs.

Cultivating human liver cell line (CL-1) on microcarriers as biomaterial of bioartificial liver

objective: To cultivate human liver cell line (CL-1) on microcarriers and study the synthetic and transformational function of this culture system. Methods:CL-1 were cultivated on Cytodex-3 microcarriers. The cell growth was kinetically inspected with light microscope and scanning electronic microscope on the lst, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th day, and the amount of diazepam transformation and albumin synthesis were deter mined at the same time. Results:On 7th day after inoculating, the CL-1 cell density could reach 2. 16 ×106/ ml ; the amount of diazepam trans formation was 619 μg and albumin synthesis 78. 23 μg. Conclusion:CL-1 can be cultivated to a high density on microcarriers and has hepatic specific biotransformation and biosynthesis functions. So the culture system may be further studied for being used as the biomaterial of bioartificial liver.

Zoonotic human liver flukes,a type 1 biocarcinogen,in freshwater fishes:genetic analysis and confirmation of molluscan vectors and reservoir hosts in Bangladesh

Background Opisthorchiid flukes,particularly Opisthorchis viverrini,Opisthorchis felineus,Clonorchis sinensis,and Metorchis spp.are the most common fish-borne zoonotic human liver flukes(hLFs).Liver fluke infections are more prevalent in resource-deprived and underprivileged areas.We herein estimated the prevalence of the metacercariae(MC)of major hLFs in common large freshwater fishes(lFWF)marketed for human consumption from some selected areas of Bangladesh along with detection of their molluscan vectors and reservoirs.Methods The current status of fish-borne zoonotic hLF infections in lFWF was investigated along with their molluscan vectors and mammalian reservoir hosts in Mymensingh and Kishoreganj in Bangladesh from July 2018-June 2022 using conventional and multiple molecular techniques,such as PCR,PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP),sequencing,and bioinformatic analyses.The infection rate of fishes was analyzed using the Z-test and the loads of MC were compared using the chi-squared(χ^(2))test.Results The MC of C.sinensis,Opisthorchis spp.,and Metorchis spp.were detected in 11 species of common and popular lFWF.In lFWF,the estimated prevalence was 18.7%and the mean load was 137.4±149.8 MC per 100 g of fish.The prevalence was the highest(P<0.05)in spotted snakehead fishes(Channa punctata,63.6%).The highest rate of infection(P<0.05)was observed with the MC of C.sinensis(11.8%).Metacercariae were almost equally(P>0.05)distributed between the head and body of fishes.The infection rate was slightly higher in cultured(19.6%)fishes.The MC of C.sinensis,O.felineus,O.viverrini,and Metorchis orientalis in fishes were confirmed using PCR,PCR-RFLP and bioinformatics.The cercariae of opisthorchiid(Pleurolophocercus cercariae)flukes were only recovered from Bithynia spp.(3.9%,42 out of 1089).The ova of hLFs from dogs(4.3%,5 out of 116)and cats(6.0%,6 out of 100),and adult flukes(M.orientalis)from ducks(41.1%113 out of 275)were detected.Conclusions The MC of hLFs are highly prevalent in fresh water fishes in Bangladesh.Reservoir hosts,such as street dogs,cats,and ducks carried the patent infection,and residents of Bangladesh are at risk.

New mathematical modelings of the human liver and hearing loss systems with fractional derivatives

Fractional derivatives are significant mathematical instruments that have been practiced to model real phenomena in different areas of science.Through the current investigation study,we develop the Human Liver and Hearing Loss models by employing three fractional operators called Atangana-Baleanu-Caputo,Caputo and Caputo-Fabrizio derivatives.The numerical techniques regarding the basic theories of fractional analysis considered to obtain the approximate solutions of the offered systems.Indeed,approximate results are presented for showing the efficacy of the methods during graphs of solutions.To see the performance of the suggested models,different fractional orders are tested.

Toward a high resolution 2-DE profile of the normal human liver proteome using ultra-zoom gels

The human liver is the largest organ in the body and has many important physiological functions. A global analysis of human liver proteins is essential for a better understanding of the molecular basis of the normal functions of the liver and of its diseases. As part of the Human Liver Proteome Project (HLPP), the goal of the present study was to visualize and detect as many proteins as possible in normal human livers using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). We have constructed a reference map of the proteins of human normal liver that can be used for the comprehensive analysis of the human liver proteome and other related research. To improve the resolution and enhance the detection of low abundance proteins, we developed and optimized narrow pH range ultra-zoom 2-DE gels. High resolution patterns of human liver in pH gradients 4.5-5.5, 5-6, 5.5-6.7, 6-9 and 6-11 are presented. To improve the poor resolution in the alkaline pH range of 2-DE gels, we optimized the isoelectric focusing protocol by including sample application using cup loading at the anode and incorporating 1.2% hydroxyethyl disulfide, 15% 2-propanol and 5% glycerol in the rehydration buffer. Using the optimized protocol, we obtained reproducibly better resolution in both analytical and preparative 2-DE gels. Compared with the 2386 and 1878 protein spots resolved in the wide range 3-10 and 4-7 pH gradients respectively, we obtained 5481 protein spots from the multiple (overlapping) narrow pH range ultra-zoom gels in the range of pH 4.5-9. The visualized reference map of normal human liver proteins presented in this paper will be valuable for comparative proteomic research of the liver proteome.

Inhibition of Cytochrome P450 by Nomilin and Obacunone and Potential Mechanism in Human Liver Microsomes

Objective Nomilin and obacunone are two important limonoids that are well known for their anticancer effect. Previous studies showed that limonoids had inhibitory effect on cytochrome P450 3A4（CYP3A4）. However these effects are inconclusive with regards to prediction of potential drug interactions. Methods Nomilin or obacunone was pre-incubated with HLMs for 30 min. Following 10-fold dilution from the pre-incubation concentration, a second incubation was performed in the presence of NADPH and cytochrome P450 substrates for 15 min. The reaction was quenched and the supernatants were analyzed by chromatography/mass spectrometry. Results In this study, nomilin and obacunone showed potent inhibitory effect on CYP3A4 with the IC_（50） values of 3.50 and 6.08 μmol/L, respectively. The inhibition of CYP3A4 was in a time-, concentration-and NADPH-dependent manner with Ki values of 2.92 and 1.25 μmol/L and Kinact values of 0.033 and 0.078 min^（-1） for nomilin and obacunone respectively. These results elucidated that they were time-dependent inhibitors for CYP3A4. Conclusion Concomitant use of limonoids and other drugs may call for extra caution for purposes of clinical safety.

Con A affinity glycoproteomics of normal human liver tissue

In order to establish the novel high throughput, high efficiency and low cost technological platform for the research of N-glycoproteomics, to resolve the significance of characteristic expression profile of glycoprotein and to find the proteins with biological functional importance, the glycoproteins with high-mannose core and the two antennary types were purified and enriched by the Con A affinity chromatography. Con A affinity protein expression profiles of normal human liver tissue were gener- ated by using SDS-PAGE, two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) followed by fast fluorescence stain- ing based on multiplexed proteomics (MP) technology. 301 visible protein spots on the gel were de- tected and 85 of glycoproteins were further successfully identified via peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) by a matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF- MS/MS) and annotated to IPI databases. Identified glycoproteins definitely take part in the regulation of cell cycle and metabolic processes. The glycosylation sites were predicted with NetNGlyc 1.0 and NetOGlyc 3.1 software, meanwhile they were classified according to the geneontology methods. The construction of Con A affinity glycoprotein database of normal human liver tissue would contribute to the subsequent research.

IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL DEMONSTRATION OF CCAAT/ENHANCER BINDING PROTEIN (C/EBP) IN HUMAN LIVER TISSUES OF VARIOUS ORIGIN

C / EBP is a sequence-specific DNA-binding protein. In order to indentify its distribution and localization, immunohistochemical technique (ABC method) was done using anti-C / EBP polypeptide antibodies 1103#, 425# in liver specimens from 20 normal adults, 5 neonates, 6 patients with hepatitis, 25 with liver cirrhosis, 80 with hepatocellular carcinoma (40 cases were associated with surrounding nontumorous tissues) and 26 patients with cholangiocarcinoma (15 cases were associated with surrounding nontumorous tissues). The results showed that C / EBP was diffusely distributed in nuclei and cytoplasm of differentiated liver cells and very low or undetectable in liver cancer cells. The manifestation of C / EBP correlated with degree of differentiation of tumour cells, and was obviously weaker than that in surrounding nontumorous tussues. C / EBP positive staining has also been found in regenerating epithelial cells of bile ductules. The results suggested that C / EBP should play an important role in establishing and maintaining the differentiation of liver cells.

Inhibitory effect of the combination of notoginseng total saponins and safflower total flavonoids on UDP-glucuronosyltransferases 1A1, 1A4, and 2B7 in human liver microsomes

In the present study, the potential inhibition behaviors of notoginseng total saponins(NS), safflower total flavonoids(SF), and their combination(CNS) towards three major isoforms of UDP-glucuronosyltransferases(UGTs) in human liver microsomes(HLMs) were investigated to study the mechanism of the synergistic effect of CNS.Etoposide, trifluoperazine and azidothymidine were selected as the probe drugs to elucidate the activities of UGT1A1, 1A4 and 2B7 by UPLC-MS/MS method, respectively.The results showed that CNS, NS and SF significantly inhibited the activities of UGT1A1, 1A4 and 2B7(P<0.05) with the IC_(50) values less than 30 mg/mL.Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of CNS towards UGT1A1, 1A4 and 2B7 were stronger than those of NS and SF(P<0.05).In conclusion, the combination of NS and SF could increase their inhibitory effects on UGT1A1, 1A4 and 2B7 activities in HLMs and might be conducive to reduce the phase II metabolism of the effective constituents in CNS.The potential herb-drug interactions of CNS based on UGT enzymes provided a useful experimental basis for its further research and development.

Characterization of hepatic progenitors from human fetal liver during second trimester

AIM： To enrich hepatic progenitors using epithelial cell adhesion molecule （EpCAM） as a marker from human fetal liver and investigate the expression of human leukocyte antigen （HLA） and their markers associated with hepatic progenitor cells. METHODS： EpCAM ＋ve cells were isolated using magnetic cell sorting （MACS） from human fetuses （n = 10） at 15-25 wk gestation. Expression of markers for hepatic progenitors such as albumin, alpha-fetoprotein （AFP）, CD29 （integrin ~1）, CD49f （integrin c^6） and CD90 （Thy 1） was studied by using flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR; HLA class Ⅰ （A, B, C） and class Ⅱ （DR） expression was studied by flow cytometry only. RESULTS： FACS analysis indicated that EpCAM ＋ve cells were positive for CD29, CD49f, CD90, CD34, HLA class I, albumin and AFP but negative for HLA class Ⅱ （DR） and CD45. RT PCR showed that EpCAM ＋ve cells expressed liver epithelial markers （CK18）, biliary specific marker （CK19） and hepatic markers （albumin, AFP）. On immunocytochemical staining, EpCAM ＋ve cells were shown positive signals for CK18 and albumin. CONCLUSION： Our study suggests that these EpCAM ＋ve cells can be used as hepatic progenitors for cell transplantation with a minimum risk of alloreactivity and these cells may serve as a potential source for enrichment of hepatic progenitor.

Three-dimensional reconstruction of digitized human liver： based on Chinese Visible Human

Background Comparing with two dimensional （2D） imaging, both in diagnosis and treatment, three dimensional （3D） imaging has many advantages in clinical medicine. 3D reconstruction makes the target easier to identify and reveals the volume and shape of the organ much better than 2D imaging. A 3D digitized visible model of the liver was built to provide anatomical structure for planing of hepatic operation and for realizing accurate simulation of the liver on the computer. Methods Transverse sections of abdomen were chosen from the Chinese Visible Human dataset. And Amira software was selected to segment and reconstruct the structures of the liver. The liver was reconstructed in three-dimensions with both surface and volume rendering reconstruction. Results Accurately segmented images of the main structures of the liver were completed. The reconstructed structures can be displayed singly, in small groups or as a whole and can be continuously rotated in 3D space at different velocities. Conclusions The reconstructed liver is realistic, which demonstrates the natural shape and exact position of liver structures, tt provides an accurate model for the automated segmentation algorithmic study and a digitized anatomical mode of viewing the liver.

Subcellular localization of several heavy metals of Hg,Cd and Pb in human liver

Liver, as an important metabolic and detoxi- cological organ of human body, can be used as a good bioin- dicator for evaluating body burden of environmental pollut- ants. Its elemental contents and their chemical forms are closely related to the status of human health and disease. In this paper, the liver samples collected from normal subjects were separated to different subcellular fractions of nuclei, mitochondria, lysosome, microsome and cytosol by differen- tial centrifugation. Then their concentrations of heavy metals of As, Pb, Cd, and Hg were determined by atomic absorption and atomic fluorescent spectroscopy. Our results show no significant difference with literature ones when comparing their gross concentrations. In the case of their subcellular distribution, the Hg concentrations are higher in mitochon- drial, microsomal and cytosolic fractions; the Cd concentra- tions are higher in cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions, while As highest in nuclear fraction. The highest concentra- tion of Pb is found in microsomal fraction with similarity to Fe. Mercury in liver is mainly in the form of inorganic, and methylmercury ranged from 9% to 50% with the average value of 20.9%±13.3%. These results indicate that the cellu- lar distribution and the accumulated target organelles are quite different among these heavy metals, which suggest their various pathways and toxic mechanism in vivo.