title: Application of spheroid culture to human hepatocytes and maintenance of their differentiation.
abstract: Human hepatocytes cultured with a hormonally defined medium on non-adherent poly-(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-coated surface were able to form spheroids. The maintenance of liver-specific functions was assessed by following secretion of albumin, transferrin and alpha 1-antitrypsin that were still detectable after 4 months of spheroidal culture. Moreover, cytochrome P-450 IA was induced by methylcholanthrene for up to 2 weeks. This cell system is very promising for long-term in vitro studies of human hepatocyte functions.
authors.forename: J Z
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sarrazin
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cassio
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gauthier
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alvarez
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008748:Methylcholanthrene / Q000494:pharmacology; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D014168:Transferrin; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D008748:Methylcholanthrene; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System