Fig. 3

Galectin expression is enhanced during liver regeneration. a Dynamic genes expression changes of hepatic stem/progenitor related markers (Gal-1, Gal-3, Krt19, Afp, Bmi-1, c-Met, and Ctnnb1) in liver non-parenchymal cells (NPCs) and parenchymal cells (PCs) at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 following 2-AAF/PH (n = 6–8 for weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4; n = 3 for week 6). The fold changes of genes expression in NPCs at week 1 (versus week 0) are shown. b Immunohistochemical detection of the co-localization of galectin-1 and galectin-3 with CK19 at week 2. c Co-localization of galectin-1 expression with desmin⁺ HSCs, CD68⁺ KCs, and SE-1⁺ LSECs was determined at week 2. The dotted area indicates the galectin-1 positive area. d Quantification of c showed markedly enriched HSCs in the galectin-1⁺ region (n = 4). e Comparison of the galectin-1⁺ proportion in desmin⁺ cells in periportal and non-periportal areas at week 2 (n = 4). f, g Gene (f) and protein expression level (g) of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in HSCs from normal and regenerating livers. The fold changes of gene expression between PC and HSC are shown (n = 3). Nuclei were stained with DAPI. Scale bar, 100 μm. Data are shown as means ± SD. ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01, ^***P < 0.001, ^****P < 0.0001. HSCs, hepatic stellate cells; KCs, Kupffer cells; LSECs, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells; PV, portal vein