Fig. 1. HNF6 is expressed in mouse fetal liver and biliary tract. HNF6 expression was assessed by RT-PCR with TATA box-binding protein (Tbp) as a reference (A) or by immunohistochemistry at E15.5 (B-D). (A) In the liver, Hnf6 mRNA is detected throughout the fetal period, although its concentration is lower between E12.5 and E15.5. (B) At E15.5, a strong nuclear staining is observed in the ductal plate, in cells located at the interface between the portal mesenchyme and the liver parenchyma (arrow), and a weaker nuclear signal is detected in hepatocytes (arrowheads). (C) HNF6 is also detected in the epithelium of the gallbladder primordium, but not in the surrounding mesenchyme. (D) The epithelium of the common bile duct shows a strong HNF6 signal, while a weak signal is present in the epithelium of the duodenum. cbd, common bile duct; d, duodenum; gb, gallbladder primordium; m, mesenchyme; p, liver parenchyma; pm, portal mesenchyme; pv, portal vein. Scale bar: 50 µm.
