Primary Hepatocyte Culture
Primary Hepatocyte Culture - Related Videos
08:32
Induction of an Inflammatory Response in Primary Hepatocyte Cultures from Mice
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Cited by 7 •
2017
Here, we show an enzymatic approach to isolate primary hepatocytes from adult mice, and we describe the quantification of an inflammatory response using ELISA and real-time PCR.
12:11
Determination of Fatty Acid Oxidation and Lipogenesis in Mouse Primary Hepatocytes
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Cited by 37 •
2015
De novo lipogenesis and β-fatty acid oxidation constitute key metabolic pathways in hepatocyte, pathways that are perturbed in several metabolic disorders, including fatty liver disease. Here we demonstrate isolation of mouse primary hepatocytes and describe quantification of β-fatty acid oxidation and lipogenesis.
08:47
Protocol for Isolation of Primary Human Hepatocytes and Corresponding Major Populations of Non-parenchymal Liver Cells
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Cited by 93 •
2016
A technique to isolate human hepatocytes and non-parenchymal liver cells from the same donor is described. The different liver cell types build the basis for functional liver models and tissue engineering. This new method aims to isolate liver cells in a high yield and viability.
10:25
"Liver-on-a-Chip" Cultures of Primary Hepatocytes and Kupffer Cells for Hepatitis B Virus Infection
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Cited by 25 •
2019
The goal of this protocol is to provide a step-by-step guide to perform 3-D "liver-on-a-chip" infection experiments with the hepatitis B virus.
07:06
Isolation and Primary Culture of Rat Hepatic Cells
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Cited by 145 •
2012
Primary hepatocytes provide a valuable tool to evaluate biochemical, molecular, and metabolic functions in a physiologically relevant experimental system. We describe a reliable protocol for rat in situ liver perfusion, which consistently generates viable hepatocytes up to 1.0 × 108 cells per preparation with cell viability between 88 ~ 96%.
FAQs
Freshly isolated hepatocytes retain differentiated activities that are central to liver biology, including metabolism and protein synthesis. Maintaining these functions outside the body allows investigators to examine hepatic responses under controlled laboratory conditions rather than relying only on observations from intact animals or tissue. The resulting model connects cellular behavior with physiological and toxicological questions.
The substrate provides a surface that supports hepatocyte attachment, while the defined medium supplies conditions that help maintain cell viability and liver-specific functions. These components work together after tissue dissociation and isolation. If attachment or maintenance conditions are inadequate, the culture may provide less useful evidence about hepatic metabolism, protein synthesis, or toxicity.
Primary hepatocyte culture uses cells freshly obtained from liver tissue, so it more closely reflects the behavior of differentiated liver cells than many immortalized cell lines. This distinction is important when interpreting metabolism, protein synthesis, or xenobiotic responses. Immortalized models remain useful, but primary cells can provide evidence that is more representative of native liver behavior.
Preparation begins with liver tissue dissociation, followed by isolation of the hepatocytes. The cells are then plated on a suitable substrate and maintained in defined culture medium. These steps establish attachment and support viability while preserving measurable hepatic functions. The workflow therefore links physical separation of cells with controlled conditions for subsequent biological experiments.
The model can provide information about liver-specific metabolism and protein synthesis, along with cellular responses to drugs or other xenobiotic substances. Because culture conditions are controlled, investigators can examine these outcomes in a defined experimental setting. Such measurements help connect hepatocyte behavior with pharmacology, toxicology, hepatic physiology, and disease-related research questions.
Researchers apply this system when they need an ex vivo model for hepatic physiology, drug metabolism, xenobiotic toxicity, or disease mechanisms. It is also relevant to regenerative biology because the experiments focus on hepatocytes outside the body while retaining important differentiated functions. The approach can therefore support controlled studies that complement broader investigations of liver biology.