Summary
Differentiated cells have been established in monolayer culture from adult rat liver and their ultrastructural and biochemical features characterized after 20–30 generations. Hepatocytes were isolated by enzyme perfusion of the liver followed by treatment with papain, which allowed cultures to be established more readily and to be cloned at an early stage. Ultrastructural studies indicated that the cells were derived largely from hepatic parenchymal cells. The cells showed structural modifications during primary culture but were stable thereafter. The cultured cells retained some differentiated functions unique to liver cells, including the synthesis of ornithine from arginine and the secretion of serum proteins, albumin, α- and β-globulins.
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Supported by grants from the Medical Research Council, Canada: MA 4665 and MT 2627
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Odashima, S., Sturgess, J.M. & Rothstein, A. Studies with mature rat hepatocytes in monolayer culture. Cell Tissue Res. 169, 167–178 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00214206
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00214206