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The Hepatocyte Review pp 125–145Cite as

Storage of isolated hepatocytes

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Abstract

Isolated hepatocytes can be obtained in large numbers from numerous species including man by the classical two-step collagenase perfusion method and are widely used as a model system either in suspension or in primary culture in various research fields [1,2]. They are of particular interest for the study of xenobiotic metabolism and as a bioartificial liver support. Since various hepatic functions exhibit qualitative and quantitative interspecies variations, particularly when comparisons involve experimental animals and human beings, human hepatocytes are highly desirable for answering questions relative to the human situation. However, major problems are encountered with hepatocytes from human beings and some large animals. Although high cell yields can be obtained from a single organ, their sources are limited. Moreover availability of human liver samples is erratic and unpredictable and further reduced by legal and ethical considerations in certain countries [3]. Therefore there is a need for short-term and long-term preservation of isolated hepatocytes and for the establishment of liver parenchymal cell banks. However, after storage the cells must still be viable and capable of expressing their liver-specific functions at levels close to those of their unstored counterparts. Short-term preservation protocols are based on experimental conditions designed for organ storage before transplantation. Numerous cryopreservation protocols have been proposed, mostly for rat hepatocytes: they all involve the use of well-defined freezing conditions in a medium containing a cryoprotectant followed by storage in liquid nitrogen. In a number of studies, cell recovery was low and limited information was provided on maintenance of liver-specific functions after thawing. In this review both the technical aspects for hypothermic preservation and cryopreservation of isolated hepatocytes and their survival and function after storage are discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. INSERM U 456, Détoxication et Réparation Tissulaire, Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France

    André Guillouzo & Alain Fautrel

  2. Rennes-Atalante Villejean, BIOPREDIC, Rennes, France

    Claire Guyomard & Christophe Chesné

Authors
  1. André Guillouzo
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  2. Claire Guyomard
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  3. Alain Fautrel
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  4. Christophe Chesné
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Michael N. Berry Anthony M. Edwards

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Guillouzo, A., Guyomard, C., Fautrel, A., Chesné, C. (2000). Storage of isolated hepatocytes. In: Berry, M.N., Edwards, A.M. (eds) The Hepatocyte Review. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3345-8_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3345-8_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-5402-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-3345-8

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