Synthesis of alpha-fetoprotein in hepatocytes is co-ordinately regulated with cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions.
The synthesis of alpha-fetoprotein in primary cultures of adult mouse hepatocytes was studied under different conditions of cultivation. On dried collagen, the majority of cells resumed synthesis of alpha-fetoprotein. Alpha-fetoprotein re-expression was accompanied by the flattening of hepatocytes, loss of gap junctional communication and domain-specific membrane antigens, and by alteration of actin pattern. Cultivation of hepatocytes on polymerized collagen gel did not prevent the re-expression of alpha-fetoprotein and other alterations described above. Hepatocyte cultivation within three-dimensional collagen gel as well as co-cultivation of hepatocytes with liver epithelial cells IAR-20 led to re-establishment of organotypic trabeculae-like structures consisting of polygonal hepatocytes with normal pattern of actin, membrane antigens and cell-cell communication. These structures were almost alpha-fetoprotein-negative. It is suggested that hepatocyte shape is co-ordinately regulated with the switch from an adult "block" of hepatocyte functions to an embryonic one. Three-dimensional extracellular matrix may in turn, influence the maintenance of hepatocyte shape.
Gleiberman
A S
AS
All-Union Cancer Research Centre, Moscow, USSR.
Kudrjavtseva
E I
EI
Sharovskaya YuYu
Abelev
G I
GI
D000199:Actins / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers; D002450:Cell Communication; D003094:Collagen; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D000199:Actins; D000941:Antigens; D015415:Biomarkers; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D003094:Collagen