PGE2 Affects Embryonic Liver Outgrowth (A) In situ hybridization for transferrin, a liver-specific marker, reveals that embryonic liver size is regulated by PGE2. Exposure to dmPGE2 from 48 to 80 hpf dramatically increases embryonic liver size (51.4% embryos with an enlarged liver; n = 18/35), whereas exposure to Indo decreases embryonic liver size (76.5% embryos with a smaller liver; n = 26/34). Left lateral view; row below is magnified view. (B) FACS quantification of GFP+ liver cells in lfabp:GFP embryos at 72 hpf following exposure to dmPGE2 or Indo. dmPGE2 increases the relative number of liver cells, whereas Indo decreases the relative number of liver cells. (Data are represented as mean ± SEM; ***significant across treatment groups, ANOVA, p = 0.0009.) (C) Confocal microscopy visualization of the liver in lfabp:GFP embryos at 72 hpf following exposure to dmPGE2 or Indo. Exposure to dmPGE2 from 48 to 72 hpf enlarges the developing liver, whereas exposure to Indo severely abrogates liver development. Left lateral view. (Data are represented as mean ± SEM; n = 5 per treatment.)
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