Fig 2: Deletion of Fn14 inhibits accumulation of progenitor cells after PH.Fn14 KO mice and wild type (WT) mice underwent PH. Expression of progenitor markers was evaluated at various time points by (A) qRT-PCR analysis, (B) Immunohistochemistry and (C) Western blot. Mean +/- SEM results from all mice (n = 5/time point) are graphed relative to baseline, pre-PH (time 0) in WT group, * p<0.05 vs time 0, # p<0.05 vs WT. Representative images of 48 hours post-PH liver are displayed (magnification 40×).

Fig 3: Liver Fn14(+) cells co-localize with progenitor cells.(A) Serial section staining for Fn14 and progenitor markers (AFP and LGR5) in WT mice 48 hours after PH (magnification 40×). (B) Confocal images of Fn14 and CK18 co-staining in WT mice liver 24 hours after PH (magnification 40×). Yellow indicates co-localization of these two markers. (C) Double immunofluorescence for Fn14 and LGR5 in WT mice liver 48 hours after PH (magnification 20×). Yellow indicates co-localization of these two markers. (C) Confocal images of Fn14 and LGR5 co-stained primary hepatocytes isolated from WT mice 24 hours after PH (magnification 63×).

Fig 4: Partial hepatectomy triggers hepatic accumulation of Fn14(+) cells in WT mice.Healthy adult wild type (WT) mice (n = 80) underwent PH. Expression of Fn14 was evaluated at various time points by (A) qRT-PCR analysis, (B) Representative western blot, quantification of protein levels for Fn14 normalized to ß-actin and (C) Immunohistochemistry (magnification 20×). To assure reagent specificity, similar analysis was done in mice that were genetically-deficient in Fn14(Fn14 KO). Mean +/- SEM results from all mice (n = 4–5/time point) are graphed relative to baseline, pre-PH (time 0), * p<0.05.

Fig 5: Deletion of Fn14 impairs liver regeneration and survival after PH.Healthy adult wild type (WT) and Fn14 KO mice underwent PH. (A) Liver regeneration ratios (assessed by dividing liver weight at sacrifice by the estimated original liver weight) were compared between WT and Fn14 KO mice at various time points post-PH. (B) Serum bilirubin levels were measured using a Total Bilirubin Test Kit (BIOTRON Diagnostics). (C) Percentage of infarct areas per high-powered field (HPF) were also quantified at in 50 randomly-chosen fields/section. Mean +/- SEM results from 3–4 mice/group/time point are shown. * p<0.01 vs WT. (D) Survival rates were compared between WT and Fn14 KO mice at various time points post-PH. The P values for survival curve are calculated using the log rank test.