Characterization of pancreatic-type tissue in the liver of rat induced by polychlorinated biphenyls

Pancreatic-type tissue induced in the livers of rats treated with polychlorinated biphenyls was characterized by transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution immunocytochemistry. The cells of pancreatic-type tissue were arranged as acini and in small groups. By electron microscopy the pancreatic-type tissue showed features very similar to normal pancreatic acinar tissue, such as well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), large numbers of mature zymogen granules, and a basally located nucleus. Protein A-gold immunocytochemical technique showed localization of amylase and trypsinogen over the zymogen granules and RER. These findings confirm that this tissue in the liver is morphologically and functionally identical to pancreatic acinar tissue.