By immunofluorescence, four KO livers showed less than 1% β-caten

By immunofluorescence, four KO livers showed less than 1% β-catenin-positive hepatocytes, whereas two KO livers had around 20%-30% spontaneous repopulation (Fig. 3C). Five additional KO livers showed less than 1% hepatocytes to be β-catenin-positive in the KO by IHC as well (data not shown). Thus, a majority of the KO livers did not show many β-catenin-positive hepatocytes at baseline, suggesting only a DDC injury-dependent spontaneous repopulation

with β-catenin-positive hepatocytes, which may have initially escaped albumin-cre driven β-catenin deletion. However, a very small subset of KO livers did show the presence of greater numbers BMS-354825 concentration of β-catenin-positive cells for unknown reasons, albeit nowhere to the extent observed after DDC exposure. Previously, we reported that β-catenin is strongly positive in bile duct epithelia in normal liver, whereas it is lacking in the KO despite the fact that conditional deletion of the floxed gene was brought about by the albumin-cre, perhaps due to embryonal expression of albumin in a common progenitor of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes.9 Next we address if β-catenin-positive biliary epithelial cells, which have also been shown to be the precursors of oval cells, may be the source of β-catenin-positive hepatocytes in the KO liver.11 A comprehensive analysis Carfilzomib nmr showed that

none of the bile ducts in the KO livers were β-catenin-positive at baseline and 7 or 30 days of DDC exposure, as indicated by a lack of colocalization of β-catenin and A6, which is known to be a marker of biliary ductular epithelia and oval cells in the liver (Fig. 3B).1, 12 Most bile ducts continued to be β-catenin-negative in the KO livers after 80 days of DDC exposure, whereas in WT livers all bile ducts (atypical and atypical) were strongly β-catenin-positive (Fig. 3D). At this

stage only an occasional bile duct was lined by β-catenin-positive epithelia, whereas at 150 days a few additional ducts find more were β-catenin-positive (Fig. 3D). Thus, appearance of β-catenin-positive hepatocytes precedes the appearance of β-catenin-positive bile ducts in the KO liver at baseline as well as after chronic DDC injury and hence cannot be the source of repopulation. To examine whether the increase in the number of β-catenin-positive hepatocytes correlates with a decrease in expression of the transgene, we performed real-time PCR analysis for Cre-recombinase at 30, 80, and 150 days after DDC feeding. Real-time PCR analysis was performed for Cre-recombinase in three separate mouse livers using three different reference genes. The analysis showed that there was no significant difference in mRNA expression of Cre-recombinase between untreated age- and sex-matched KO mouse livers and the 30 days DDC-fed KO livers (data not shown).

5 km offshore near Cedar Key on the Gulf coast of north-western p

5 km offshore near Cedar Key on the Gulf coast of north-western peninsular Florida (Fig. 1). Biological communities on this island are diverse and include salt marsh, mangroves and a mixed hardwood hammock that covers much of the upland area of the island. The island is part of the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge and supports

a large rookery of colonial-nesting water birds. The rookery is concentrated largely at the western half of the island, and there is a white sand beach that extends in a large arc along its southern edge (Fig. 1). Cottonmouths feed largely on fish carrion and are most abundant in or near the hammock, which supports the colonial bird rookeries (Lillywhite & McCleary, 2008). From June 2000 to September 2010, the activity of cottonmouths was monitored along a stretch of the south beach that extended from a midpoint on the island to a point 750 m to the west (Fig. 1). Beginning at Selleckchem PFT�� dark, several persons (range 1–5, mean ACP-196 nmr 2.5) walked over this area carefully searching each segment and proceeding once in each direction with respect to the length of the beach. We looked for snakes that were easily seen foraging in relatively open ground above the intertidal near the edge where beach transitioned to hammock. Rookery trees, largely supporting nests of Brown

Pelicans, Pelecanus occidentalis, and Double-crested Cormorants, Phalacrocorax auritus, could be found at varying distances along this path. Snakes were encountered in larger numbers on relatively open ground beneath these trees, which were either rooted on the beach or had canopy extending over the beach. The observers walked with headlamps, and snakes were easily observed in artificial light either crawling, feeding or coiled. The snakes were not disturbed by a beam of light and moved away only when the observer came very close to the snake (typically within 1 m). Because inactive snakes are usually coiled in sheltered or concealed sites within the hammock and emerged at dark to move below rookeries, including open areas at the edge of the beach, we used the number of snakes sighted as an index of snake activity.

find more Each survey lasted from 60 to 90 min, depending on time taken to photograph snakes or record other information. Surveys were conducted largely during the period from March to November when snakes were nocturnally active. Overall, during 77 searching transects, we sighted a total of 860 snakes (mean 11.17 snakes per night; range 0–44). We recorded the location and estimated the size of each snake that was sighted during visual surveys beginning at dark. The observers were close enough to snakes to estimate the total length and to place each individual within a size category (young-of-the-year below 45 cm; juveniles 46–75 cm; and adults >75 cm). To ensure consistency on both the survey procedures and the field size estimations of the snakes, H. B. L. was present during all the observation sessions.

The clade E strain, thought to be free-living, was able to grow p

The clade E strain, thought to be free-living, was able to grow photoautotrophically but not heterotrophically. Infection of an aposymbiotic Aiptasia host with the axenic strains showed consistent patterns of specificity, with only the

clade B and one of the clade A strains able to successfully establish symbiosis. Overall, the Aiptasia-Symbiodinium association represents an important model system for dissecting aspects of the physiology and cellular and molecular Selleckchem Ferroptosis inhibitor biology of cnidarian-dinoflagellate mutualism and exploring issues that bear directly on coral bleaching. “
“Fluvial biofilms are subject to multistress situations in natural ecosystems, such as the co-occurrence of light intensity changes and metal toxicity. However, studies simultaneously addressing both factors are rare. This study evaluated in microcosm conditions the relationship between short-term light intensity changes and Zn toxicity on fluvial biofilms with long-term photoacclimation to different light conditions. Biofilms that had long-term photoacclimation to 25 μmol photons · m−2 · s−1 (low light [LL] biofilms), 100 μmol photons · m−2 · s−1 (medium light [ML] biofilms), and 500 μmol photons · m−2 · s−1 (high light [HL] biofilms) were characterized this website by different structural (Chlorophyll-a [Chl-a], total biomass-AFDW, EPS, algal groups, and diatom taxonomy) and physiological

attributes (ETR-I curves and photosynthetic pigments). HL biofilms showed higher light saturation intensity and a higher

production of xanthophylls than LL biofilms. In contrast, LL biofilms had many structural differences; a higher proportion of diatoms and lower AFDW and EPS contents than ML and HL biofilms. A clear effect of light intensity changes on Zn toxicity was also demonstrated. Zn toxicity was enhanced when a sudden increase in light intensity also occurred, mainly with LL biofilms, causing higher inhibition of both the Φ′PSII and the ΦPSII. A decoupling of NPQ from de-epoxidation reaction (DR) processes was also observed, indicating substantial damage to photoprotective selleck chemical mechanisms functioning in biofilms (i.e., xanthophyll cycle of diatoms) due to Zn toxicity. This study highlights the need to take into account environmental stress (e.g., light intensity changes) to better assess the environmental risks of chemicals (e.g., metals). “
“To confirm whether allopolyploidy occurs in samples of previously identified Porphyra yezoensis Ueda, P. tenera Kjellm., and P. yezoensis × P. tenera from natural and cultivated populations, we examined these samples by using PCR-RFLP and microsatellite analyses of multiple nuclear and chloroplast regions [nuclear regions: type II DNA topoisomerase gene (TOP2), actin-related protein 4 gene (ARP4), internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA and three microsatellite loci; chloroplast region: RUBISCO spacer].

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most comm

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common NVP-BKM120 nmr liver diseases worldwide and is a manifestation of metabolic syndrome in the liver.[1, 2] Pathologically, NAFLD represents a wide spectrum of liver conditions from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH may progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatocellular carcinoma[1-5] and thus requires periodic follow-up. NAFLD is also an independent risk factor for the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD)[6] and diabetes,[7] making the prevention of NAFLD as important

as the management of the condition. In contrast, NAFLD has not been shown to be associated with an increased risk of death from all causes, CVD, cancer, or liver disease.[8] In large studies, approximately 5% of patients showing evidence of NAFLD are ultimately diagnosed with advanced NASH,[9] which

is associated with a mortality rate similar to that of advanced liver fibrosis due to hepatitis C virus infection.[10] Considering the financial burden of the increasing number of individuals with metabolic syndrome, the identification of simple markers that can identify patients with NAFLD or those who might progress to NAFLD is desired. In this regard, this review Selleckchem Birinapant provides an overview of the independent factors that predict NAFLD onset in individuals who do not have any other known liver disease, as previously reported in large studies. Body mass index (BMI) is a simple marker that reveals an individual’s degree of obesity. In Japan, a BMI of 22 is used to indicate the ideal body weight, and obesity-related diseases are associated with higher BMIs.[11] Previously, we reported a community-based, cross-sectional study involving the records of 6370 Japanese subjects, and confirmed that BMI was an independent marker

for the presence check details of NAFLD (men: odds ratio [OR] 1.257; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20–1.319; P < 0.001; women: OR 1.291; 95% CI 1.245–1.340; P < 0.001)[12, 13] (Table 1). The BMI cut-off levels for identifying the presence of NAFLD were identified in men and women using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) (95% CI). Using these techniques, the AUC (95% CI) (men, 0.809 [0.791–0.825]; women, 0.831 [0.82–0.843]), cut-off level (men, 24.1 kg/m2; women, 22.5 kg/m2), sensitivity (men, 71.6%; women, 77.9%), specificity (men, 76.5%; women, 75.4%), positive predictive value (PPV; men, 66.3%; women, 31.2%), negative predictive value (NPV; men, 80.6%; women, 96%), and diagnostic accuracy (men, 74.6%; women, 75.7%) for predicting NAFLD were identified (Table 1).[13] Eguchi et al. also carried out a large, multicenter, retrospective study examining 5075 subjects who underwent health checkups at three health centers, and identified BMI as a useful marker for determining the presence of NAFLD.

Here, we report direct observations of the flagellar behavior of<

Here, we report direct observations of the flagellar behavior of

various Volvox species with different phyletic origin in response to light intensity changes and thereby resolve this controversy: Volvox barberi W. Shaw from the section Volvox sensu Nozaki (2003) changes the direction of the flagellar beating plane, while species encompassed in the group Eudorina (Volvox carteri F. Stein, Volvox aureus Ehrenb., and Volvox tertius Art. Mey.) decrease the flagellar beating frequency, sometimes down to flagellar arrest. “
“One of the foremost issues in the field of algal taxonomy is the inability to acquire, grow, and sequence new taxa. This problem is particularly true in the study of photosynthetic euglenoids where most of the distinct taxa in culture collections have been sequenced, and many other taxa of interest click here have been resistant to culturing, and thus, sequencing. In an effort to address IWR-1 concentration this problem, we have utilized a new technique,

novel to the field of taxonomy, which allows for the sequencing of nuclear genes from a very small number of cells. Through this procedure, a DNA extraction followed by a multiple displacement amplification (MDA), taxa obtained by field collection had their genomic DNA (gDNA) amplified many fold to microgram quantities. The DNA was then used as template DNA for PCR reactions, and multiple nuclear genes were amplified successfully selleck screening library from several different taxa. By applying this procedure, we were able to shed new light on taxa that have been historically difficult to classify, resulting in the assignment of Euglena helicoideus (C. Bernard) M. S. Benn. et Triemer and Phacus horridus (Pochm.) M. S. Benn. et Triemer to the genus Lepocinclis. “
“A giant form of Anadyomene, most similar to Anadyomene pavonina (J. Agardh) Wille, a rare and diminutive alga endemic to Florida, appeared as up to 10 m long net-like strands covering

10%–80% of a 0.5 km region of the 25–50 m deep Belizean outer reef slope where none had been present up to 12 months earlier. This new species, described herein as Anadyomene gigantodictyon Littler et D. S. Littler, is characterized by a unistratose blade or cluster of blades formed by the polychotomous branching of uniseriate veins, with the interstices, or spaces between the veins, completely or partially filled with cells that are smaller than those of the veins, with cylindrical to ovate cells. The cells at mid-blade are 1.7–2.0 mm in length and 0.2–0.3 mm diameter; interstitial cells are parallel and not juxtaposed. All cells are joined in one plane and form species-specific, fan-shaped patterns with secondary interstitial cells loosely or tightly woven. “
“Sargassum subgenus Phyllotricha currently includes seven species restricted to Australian and New Zealand coasts.

Total RNA was

Total RNA was p38 inhibitors clinical trials prepared and analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as previously described using primer pairs detailed in Supporting Table 1. Data are presented as mean ± standard error (SE) unless otherwise noted. Differences between means were evaluated using an unpaired two-sided Student t test (P < 0.05 considered significant; Microsoft Excel). Where appropriate, comparisons of multiple treatment conditions with controls were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Dunnett's test for post-hoc analysis. Surveying messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of Fabp family members in quiescent (day 1) and activated (day 7) primary mouse HSCs revealed L-Fabp

to be the most abundantly expressed member and, unlike other Fabp family members (Fig. 1A), decreased by >90% upon HSC activation, with a gradual decline in L-Fabp mRNA (Fig. 1B) and protein (Fig. 1C) abundance from 3 to 7 days of culture. Freshly isolated HSCs from wild-type (WT) mice manifest abundant (oil-red-O staining) LDs, as expected (Fig. 1D). By contrast, intracellular LDs were less abundant in freshly isolated HSCs from L-FABP−/− mice (day 1) and almost undetectable this website by day 3. We also examined mRNA abundance of α-SMA and α(I)I collagen (αI(I)Col), as representative markers of HSC activation.8, 21 These

mRNAs were barely detectable in freshly isolated HSCs from WT mice, increasing ∼5 fold after culture (Fig. 1E, left panel), as expected.21 By contrast, expression of α-SMA and αI(I)Col mRNAs were readily detected in HSCs

from L-FABP−/− mice after 1 day of culture (Fig. 1E, right panel), with continued up-regulation after 7 days. Taken together, these findings suggest that L-Fabp may play a role in LD accumulation selleck compound and activation of HSCs in vitro. Based on the coupled observations of a decline in L-Fabp expression with decreased lipid accumulation and increased activation of HSCs, we asked whether forced expression of L-Fabp would modulate lipid content and the patterns of FA utilization. Ad-L-Fabp transduction of cultured HSCs (Fig. 2A) increased both cellular FA and TG content (Fig. 2B,C) and revealed enrichment with palmitic acid (C16:0) as the major FA species (Fig. 2D). These findings suggest that rescuing L-Fabp expression in cultured HSCs reverses lipid depletion and leads to enrichment in 16:0 FA. In line with these findings, the FA profile in freshly isolated HSCs from L-FABP−/− mice revealed depletion of 16:0 with a shift to 18:0, 18:1, and 18:2 species in the free FA pool (Fig. 2E). HSC triglyceride species, however, were comparable between the genotypes (Fig. 2F). These findings demonstrate corresponding gain- and loss-of-function effects of L-Fabp on the FA profile in passaged HSCs transduced with Ad-L-Fabp and in freshly isolated HSCs from L-FABP−/− mice, respectively, each approach revealing a role for L-Fabp in modulating palmitate abundance.

Measured gene expression values were log2-transformed and the med

Measured gene expression values were log2-transformed and the median was centered across genes and samples. We identified genes that were differentially expressed among the two classes using a random-variance t test. We next sought to identify a limited number of genes whose expression was tightly associated with the two subgroups. By applying a stringent threshold cutoff (P < 0.05 and 1.5-fold difference), we identified 2,446 features in the nontumor (NT)-HCC

group and 1,399 features in the LC and GI/II groups. Cluster analysis was performed by calculating Pearson correlation coefficients and performing average linkage hierarchical clustering using Cluster and TreeView software.[22] Cell migration was measured using a cell wound-healing assay in six-well plates in culture medium containing DMEM with 10% FBS. Cells were grown to 90% confluence, selleck compound Aloxistatin rinsed with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and then starved for 24 hours in serum-free medium. A sterile 200 μL

pipette tip was used to create three separate, parallel wounds, and migration of the cells across the wound line was assessed after 36 or 48 hours. Three independent experiments were performed. Cellular invasiveness was quantified using a modified Matrigel Boyden chamber assay, as described.[21] SH-J1 cells were stably transfected with Lcn2 expression plasmid (Lcn2-7 or Lcn2-23), and 5 × 106 cells in 100 μL PBS were then inoculated subcutaneously into both shoulders of nude mice. Growth curves were plotted based on mean tumor volume within each experimental group at the indicated timepoints. Tumor length and width were

monitored. Tumor volume was calculated according to the following equation: V (mm3) = width[2] (mm2) × length (mm)/2. Tumor growth see more was observed for at least 8 weeks. In vivo tumorigenic experiments were performed using seven mice per treatment group. A tail vein injection assay was used to assess the effect of Lcn2 on tumor metastasis. SH-J1-luc cells (5 × 105 cells in 200 μL PBS per mouse) previously transfected with either recombinant vector containing full-length Lcn2 or empty vector were injected into the tail veins of 6-week-old athymic nude mice. Mice were assessed for long-distance lung metastasis at 6 weeks (all seven mice per group). The number of lung metastasis nodules was counted to analyze the effects of treatment on spontaneous tumor metastasis. We established an orthotopic nude mouse lung metastasis model using SH-J1-luc cells stably expressing Lcn2. Briefly, 5 × 105 cells in 200 μL of PBS were injected into the tail veins of Balb/c nude mice (6 weeks old, n = 6). Tumor growth was monitored twice after 5 and 6 weeks by the Xenogen IVIS imaging system 100 (Caliper Lifescience, Hopkinton, MA; exposure time 10 s, level B/FOV15).

2-5, 43 Oxidized lipids are immunogenic44, 45 and antibodies agai

2-5, 43 Oxidized lipids are immunogenic44, 45 and antibodies against lipid peroxidation products are supposed to reflect systemic oxidative stress. Antibodies against oxidized lipids have been XAV 939 shown to correlate with the

amount of lipid peroxidation products.46 Therefore, patients with oxidative stress-associated liver diseases have higher titers of lipid peroxidation-related antibodies.33-35 We observed higher levels of LOOH-Ab in HCC patients when compared to controls, which is consistent with the expected ROS-mediated increase in lipid peroxidation under inflammatory conditions. The increase in LOOH levels could be partly due to elevated levels of free fatty acids resulting from obesity and metabolic syndrome, which are increasing risk factors of hepatocarcinogenesis.47, 48 Free fatty acids and ROS might act synergistically to increase lipid peroxides, thereby leading to the observed AP-1 activation and increased expression of VEGF and IL-8. However, lipid peroxidation products from LOOH decomposition or from LOOH-initiated membrane lipid peroxidation22 could also be involved. Interestingly, Selleck GSK126 a positive correlation between LOOH-Ab and VEGF levels was only seen in patients with small HCCs, suggesting that VEGF production is regulated by alternative mechanisms in more advanced liver tumors. In addition to HCCs, oxidative

stress might provoke similar molecular effects in other tumor cells. VEGF was induced by oxidative stress in hepatitis C-infected HUH7 cells49 and in immortalized 3T3 fibroblasts.50 Oxidative stress induced VEGF and IL-8 in an AP-1-dependent manner in breast carcinoma cells.38 The LOOH-mediated HCC-promoting molecular effects

were antagonized by the antioxidant selenium. Selenium selleck chemical decreased the LOOH-induced AP-1 binding to DNA in cultured HCC cells and the subsequent induction of VEGF and IL-8 expression. These selenium effects were shown to be mediated, at least in part, by the selenoenzyme GPx4, which is specifically implicated in the decay of lipid peroxides. We demonstrated that GPx4 expression in HCC is induced by selenium treatment, which is consistent with data in normal rat liver.51 Increased GPx4 levels were associated with reduced VEGF and AP-1/c-fos expression and with a decline in tumor growth. Importantly, selenium levels inversely correlated with VEGF and IL-8 serum levels and tumor size in HCC patients. Moreover, expression of GPx4 inversely correlated with expression of VEGF and AP-1/c-fos, supporting the significance of our findings for human patients. Selenium is also an inhibitor of VEGF and IL-8 expression in other tumor types.52 In rat mammary tumors, selenium treatment impaired angiogenesis by way of a VEGF-dependent mechanism.52-54 In leukocytes,55 epithelial cells,57 and hepatoblastomas,56 selenium has been reported to inhibit IL-8 expression. Moreover, selenium has been described to inhibit AP-1.

Patients were randomized to receive FVIII regimens of either
<

Patients were randomized to receive FVIII regimens of either

50 IU kg−1 three times a week or 200 IU kg−1 daily. The study, which planned to enrol 150 patients, was prematurely terminated after 116 subjects had been randomized because of safety concerns. Specifically, children in the low-dose arm showed a significantly greater number of joint and non-joint Vincristine mouse bleeding episodes at all stages of ITI including prophylaxis after ITI termination, but particularly in the first ITI phase when inhibitors were still detectable [2]. At study termination, ITI success rates were not different in the two treatment arms, although therapeutic equivalence could not be proved due to insufficient statistical power. However, median time to achieve negative inhibitor titre and normal FVIII recovery were significantly shorter (about 50%) in patients who received the high-dose regimen [2]. These analyses also highlighted the need for homogeneous definitions of ITI

outcome. Clinical and laboratory criteria for assessing ITI outcome Seliciclib order adopted in the I-ITI study were established by consensus recommendations in 1999 and, more recently, were published [9]. The role of type of FVIII concentrate (plasma-derived vs. recombinant) also remains keenly debated. The issue was raised initially by German data highlighting a dramatic decline in the ITI success rate after introduction of monoclonal and recombinant FVIII learn more (rFVIII) products in ITI regimens, and the possibility of achieving

tolerance during ITI by switching from these products to plasma-derived FVIII (pdFVIII) products [10]. The presence of von Willebrand factor (VWF) in pdFVIII products has been advocated as an explanation for these findings due to the key role of VWF in FVIII function, stabilization and, possibly, immunogenicity [11]. However, data from the clinical literature indicate similarly high success rates in patients achieving tolerance with rFVIII concentrates, and thus far no prospective rigorous study is available [4]. Interestingly, a review of some case series of patients considered to have poor prognosis reported satisfactorily high ITI success rates with VWF-containing concentrates [11]. Some studies also suggested that testing for inhibitor epitope specificity and/or in vitro cross-reactivity towards different FVIII products might predict the individual response to ITI and support the choice for a specific type of FVIII concentrate. The RES.I.ST randomized trial was designed to provide a rigorous comparison in this setting; however, the study is currently ongoing only in ‘experienced’ patients, viz, prospective data are being collected in patients receiving VWF-containing concentrates after failure of a first ITI course with recombinant or monoclonal products [3].

Data acquired by FACSCalibur (BD Biosciences) were analyzed using

Data acquired by FACSCalibur (BD Biosciences) were analyzed using FlowJo software (Tree Star, Ashland, OR). Mice were intraperitoneally injected

with 5 mg of αGalCer (Alexis Biochemicals, Lausen, Switzerland) diluted in PBS/0.05% Tween (BDH, Radnor, PA) or vehicle only. Two hours postinjection, organs were harvested for flow cytometric analysis and serum was collected for IL-4 determination by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the Mouse IL-4 ELISA Ready-Set-Go kit (eBioscience) following the manufacturer’s instructions. RPMI this website 1640 medium (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (Hyclone, Logan, UT), 100 U/mL penicillin, 100 mg/mL streptomycin (Invitrogen), and 50 mM 2-mercaptoethanol (Sigma) was used for T-cell culture. Splenocytes were labeled with 5 mM 5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate, succinimidyl ester (CFSE; Invitrogen) and stimulated with 5 mg/mL plate-bound anti-CD3

(clone 145-2C11) and 5 mg/mL anti-CD28 (clone 37.51) in suspension (WEHI, Melbourne, Australia). After 48 hours proliferation was assessed by flow cytometry. learn more Viable CFSE-labeled T cells were gated using 7-AAD and CD4-APC or CD8-APC (BD Biosciences) staining and the percentage of dividing cells was determined using the FlowJo proliferation platform. Liver donor mice were intraperitoneally injected for 3 consecutive days with 0.6 mg of monoclonal anti-CD4 (clone GK1.5) antibody. Donor livers were transplanted at day 6 and spleens were harvested to confirm depletion by flow cytometry using CD4-PerCP-Cy5.5 antibody (clone L3T4) (BD Biosciences). Four-week-old recipient mice were irradiated twice for 20 minutes with 550 rads, 2 hours apart. The donor bone marrow was extracted from tibia and femur and resuspended in sterile saline; 106 cells were injected into the tail vein of irradiated recipients. After 6 weeks of reconstitution, chimeric mice were sacrificed and organs and blood were harvested for flow cytometric analysis. Donor livers were used for

orthotopic transplantation into WT recipient mice. Donor livers were subjected to prolonged cold storage in University of Wisconsin (UW) solution as described.25 find more Male donors and recipients were used. Donor livers were dissected, the bile duct was cannulated, and the gall bladder was removed. The liver was perfused through the portal vein with UW solution and was excised. The liver graft remained in UW solution for 18 hours at 4°C. Livers of recipient mice were removed and the graft liver was placed in the orthotopic position. The cuff technique was used for anastomosis of both the portal vein and the infrahepatic vena cava. The suprahepatic vein was anastomosed. The bile duct was reconnected through the stent. The anhepatic time was kept below 25 minutes.