title: Effects of growth factors on the growth and differentiation of mouse fetal liver epithelial cells in primary cultures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Growth factors (GF) are thought to affect the growth and differentiation of hepatocytes during liver development. However, in the midfetal liver, little is known concerning the role of GF.
  
  
  METHODS
  The DNA synthesis of fetal liver epithelial cells (FLEC) in monolayer culture and the liver-specific gene expressions of FLEC in 3-D culture were examined in medium supplemented with various GF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DNA synthesis of FLEC was higher than that of adult hepatocytes without GF, and was increased by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) or transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha). However, FLEC responded less to GF in terms of DNA synthesis than adult hepatocytes. The liver-specific gene expressions were increased in the presence of HGF, HB-EGF, bFGF and EGF. In embryonic day (E) 13.5 FLEC, this increase was more apparent in the presence of HB-EGF, whereas in E14.5 FLEC, it was more apparent in the presence of HGF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hepatocyte growth factor, HB-EGF, bFGF, EGF and TGF-alpha increased DNA synthesis of FLEC. HGF, HB-EGF, bFGF and EGF led to an increase in liver-specific gene expressions; and their effects on differentiation differ as a function of gestation age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Molecular Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 B5 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
authors.forename: Takako
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kawasaki
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tamura
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kiso
authors.forename: Yoshinori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Doi
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kamada
authors.forename: Ayuko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saeki
authors.forename: Yukiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Saji
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsuzawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology*; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances; D004247:DNA