title: Changes in expression of connexin 32, bile canaliculus-like structures, and localization of alkaline phosphatase in primary cultures of fetal rat hepatocytes.
abstract: We devised an experimental design in primary cultures of fetal rat hepatocytes for studying hepatocyte differentiation over a short period. In the present study, hepatocytes were first cultured for 3 days in dexamethasone-supplemented medium and then for an additional 3 days in dexamethasone- or epidermal growth factor-supplemented medium. In hepatocytes cultured continuously in dexamethasone-supplemented medium, the expression of connexin 32 increased and bile canaliculus-like structures and localization of alkaline phosphatase in the plasma membrane around bile canaliculus-like structures were maintained. Few cells incorporated bromodeoxyuridine. On the other hand, in most of the hepatocytes cultured in epidermal growth factor-supplemented medium, the expression of connexin 32 was minimally recognized, bile canaliculus-like structures were shortened or eliminated, and alkaline phosphatase was localized as numerous fine spots throughout the cytoplasm. More than 20% of all hepatocytes incorporated bromodeoxyuridine. The present study suggests that in hepatocytes, there is a close relationship among connexin 32 expression, the maintenance of bile canaliculus-like structures, and the localization of alkaline phosphatase to the plasma membrane around the bile canaliculus-like structures, and this indicates that the present experimental model is useful for studying hepatocyte differentiation over a short period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan ; Department of Medical Informatics, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Shoko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fukazawa
authors.forename: Kohsuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chida
authors.forename: Meiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taguchi
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Takeuchi
authors.forename: Noriaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ikeda
keywords: alkaline phosphatase; bile canaliculus; connexin 32; hepatocyte; primary culture
references.citation: Hepatology. 1995 Jul;22(1):202-12
references.pmid: 7601414
references.citation: J Cell Biol. 1989 Mar;108(3):1039-51
references.pmid: 2537831
references.citation: J Cell Biochem. 1989 Oct;41(2):97-102
references.pmid: 2559087
references.citation: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1976 Oct;73(10):3589-93
references.pmid: 1068471
references.citation: Exp Cell Res. 2001 Feb 15;263(2):193-201
references.pmid: 11161718
references.citation: Can J Biochem Cell Biol. 1985 Jun;63(6):448-57
references.pmid: 2412670
references.citation: Am J Physiol. 1992 Nov;263(5 Pt 1):G650-8
references.pmid: 1332499
references.citation: Okajimas Folia Anat Jpn. 1991 Oct;68(4):235-41
references.pmid: 1685772
references.citation: J Cell Physiol. 1986 Oct;129(1):77-84
references.pmid: 2428823
references.citation: Carcinogenesis. 1986 Sep;7(9):1475-82
references.pmid: 3017599
references.citation: Carcinogenesis. 1996 Jun;17(6):1199-213
references.pmid: 8681433
references.citation: Neuron. 1991 Mar;6(3):305-20
references.pmid: 1848077
references.citation: Carcinogenesis. 1995 Jan;16(1):101-5
references.pmid: 7834792
references.citation: Front Biosci. 1998 Feb 15;3:d208-36
references.pmid: 9458335
references.citation: J Biol Chem. 1995 Aug 4;270(31):18643-8
references.pmid: 7629194
references.citation: Anat Embryol (Berl). 2005 Sep;210(2):75-80
references.pmid: 16133592
references.citation: Hepatology. 2008 Mar;47(3):1077-88
references.pmid: 18058951
references.citation: Carcinogenesis. 1994 Sep;15(9):1807-13
references.pmid: 7522979
references.citation: Acta Histochem. 2012 Jul;114(4):318-26
references.pmid: 21764105
references.citation: Nature. 1987 Oct 22-28;329(6141):732-4
references.pmid: 2823143
references.citation: Acta Histochem Cytochem. 2011 Jun 29;44(3):155-8
references.pmid: 21753861