A novel double fluorescent transgenic mouse model for lineage tracing of circulating progenitor cells in vasculogenesis

RESULTS: DDC-injured mice exhibited progressive ductular proliferation and periportal expansion. Fgf10 and Fgfr1b gene expression were significantly increased 6and 10-fold, respectively. Immunostaining demonstrated increased periportal cellular proliferation (PCNA), FGFR1 expression, and nuclear localizaton of NOTCH1 intracellular domain (NICD, a marker of Notch activation). Inhibition of FGF signaling led to a reduction in the periportal cellularity (27%, p 0.05), FGF activation (20%), and NICD nuclear localization.