Isolation and primary cultures of human intrahepatic bile ductular epithelium.
A technique for the isolation of human intrahepatic bile ductular epithelium, and the establishment of primary cultures using a serum- and growth-factor-supplemented medium combined with a connective tissue substrata is described. Initial cell isolates and monolayer cultures display phenotypic characteristics of biliary epithelial cells (low molecular weight prekeratin positive; albumin, alphafetoprotein, and Factor VIII-related antigen negative). Ultrastructural features of the cultured cells show cell polarization with surface microvilli, numerous interepithelial junctional complexes and cytoplasmic intermediate prekeratin filaments.
D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000166:cytology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D014841:von Willebrand Factor
D000941:Antigens; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D005169:Factor VIII