A method of maintaining parenchymal cells from adult rat liver in vitro

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Abstract
A method for preparing suspensions of adult rat hepatocytes suitable for maintenance in vitro is described. Cultures were established from the cell suspensions by the squash technique. Cells were examined by light and electron microscopy; histochemically for glycogen, bile, lipid and glucose-6-phosphatase; and by autoradiography for DNA, RNA and protein synthesis. Hepatocytes could be maintained in vitro for at least 3 days and began to aggregate after 1 day. Uridine and leucine were incorporated, but not thymidine. Cultures consisted mainly of hepatocytes, though reticulo-endothelial cells were sometimes present.