CELLULAR ACTIN AND JUNCTION FORMATION DURING REAGGREGATION OF ADULT RAT HEPATOCYTES INTO EPITHELIAL-CELL SHEETS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 31  (JUN) , 341-353
Abstract
Aggregation of adult rat hepatocytes isolated by the collagenase perfusion technique was studied by ultrastructural methods and the indirect immunofluorescence technique using anti-actin antibodies. In a primary culture, the cells rapidly made contact with each other by filopodia-like structures and formed stable adhesions in a few hours. Within 48 h the cells had formed epithelial cell sheets with typical junctional complexes. Actin fluorescence remained homogeneous in the cells during the first 24 h in culture. The first actin filaments appeared in the developing lamellipodia. In epithelial cell sheets filamentous actin fluorescence extended throughout the entire cell sheets in an organized manner. Apparently filamentous actin plays a role in the spreading of the cells and in the maintenance of the internal organization of the epithelial cell sheets.