Background: The aim of this study was to determine the induction and distribution of Mallory body (MB) and oval cells in carbon-tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced rat liver fibrosis.
Materials and methods: MBs and oval cells expressing cytokeratins (CKs) 8 and 18 were monitored by immuno-histochemistry and immunoblotting.
Results: MBs were mainly detected within hepatocytes near the fibrotic areas, and oval cells were located along or in the fibrotic areas. Both MBs and oval cells increased in size and number in the development of fibrosis. At cirrhotic liver, most of the oval cells were located in the fibrous septa and around newly formed bile ductules. Moreover, as hepatic injuries developed into fibrosis, a much more prominent single band of CK18 was detected.
Conclusion: The occurrence and distribution of MB and oval cells in CCl4-induced rat liver fibrosis are reported. This represents the first CCl4 experimental in vivo model of MB induction, which will be useful for further investigations on the pathogenesis of MB.