Histology

The left liver lobe was cut in the middle and used for histology. Tissue was fixed in 10% formalin over night at room temperature and subsequently embedded in paraffin. Five μm thick sections were cut and used for staining. Sirius red staining was performed as described previously [47]. Immunofluorescence staining for desmin was performed as described previously [48]. Immunofluorescence staining for Keratin 19 was performed using TROMA-III antibody (1:500, Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank) using snap frozen liver tissue following fixation in 100% acetone for 10 minutes at -20 degree. Detailed protocols for each staining will be provided upon request.