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Morphological comparison and functional reconstitution of rat hepatic parenchymal cells on various matrices
Author(s) -
AWATA RYOICHI,
SAWAI HIROSHI,
IMAI KATSUYUKI,
TERADA KUNIHIKO,
SENOO HARUKI,
SUGIYAMA TOSHIHIRO
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/jgh.1998.13.s1.55
Subject(s) - matrigel , extracellular matrix , parenchyma , pathology , hepatic stellate cell , in vivo , cell type , in vitro , cell , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , biophysics , medicine , biochemistry
Four types of materials, type I collagen coat (Coat), acid‐soluble type I collagen gel (Hardgel), pepsin‐treated acid‐soluble type I collagen gel (Softgel), and an extract of extracellular matrix of the murine Engelbreth‐Holm‐Swarm sarcoma (Matrigel), were used as matrices to culture rat hepatic parenchymal cells, and their morphological changes and adhesion were compared to the matrices by electron microscopic observations. Hepatic parenchymal cells cultured on Coat and Hardgel were extended and flattened, whereas cells cultured on Softgel and Matrigel assembled and formed aggregates. Such aggregates consisted of several hepatic parenchymal cells, with a recognizable bile duct‐like alveolus on the inside. Morphologically, the aggregates were more spherical on Matrigel and oval shaped on Softgel. Microvilli of the cell surface were parallel to the matrix on Matrigel, but invaded into the gel on Softgel. Subsequently, investigation into how these morphological features affected the liver‐specific functions, including secretion of albumin and induction of P450 by 3‐methylcholanthrene, demonstrated that a high level of liver function was maintained in a long‐term culture in hepatic parenchymal cells on Softgel. These results suggest that hepatic parenchymal cell interactions were stronger with Softgel than with Matrigel, and that Softgel appears to closely mimic the in vivo environment.