title: Development and characterization of a new human hepatic cell line.
abstract: The increasing demand and hampered use of primary human hepatocytes for research purposes have urged scientists to search for alternative cell sources, such as immortalized hepatic cell lines. The aim of this study was to develop a human hepatic cell line using the combined overexpression of TERT and the cell cycle regulators cyclin D1 and mutant isoform CDK4R24C. Following transduction of adult human primary hepatocytes with the selected immortalization genes, cell growth was triggered and a cell line was established. When cultured under appropriate conditions, the cell line expressed several hepatocytic markers and liver-enriched transcription factors at the transcriptional and/or translational level, secreted liver-specific proteins and showed glycogen deposition. These results suggest that the immortalization strategy applied to primary human hepatocytes could generate a novel hepatic cell line that seems to retain some key hepatic characteristics.
authors: In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology research group, Center for Pharmaceutical Research, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussel, Belgium.
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Ramboer
authors: Unit of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Inflammation Research Center, VIB, Technologiepark 927, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
authors: Bram
authors: B
authors: De Craene
authors: In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology research group, Center for Pharmaceutical Research, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussel, Belgium.
authors: Joey
authors: J
authors: De Kock
authors: Unit of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Inflammation Research Center, VIB, Technologiepark 927, 9052 Zwijnaarde, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
authors: Geert
authors: G
authors: Berx
authors: In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology research group, Center for Pharmaceutical Research, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussel, Belgium.
authors: Vera
authors: V
authors: Rogiers
authors: In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology research group, Center for Pharmaceutical Research, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussel, Belgium.
authors: Tamara
authors: T
authors: Vanhaecke
authors: In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology research group, Center for Pharmaceutical Research, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussel, Belgium.
authors: Mathieu
authors: M
authors: Vinken
keywords: hepatic cell line; human hepatocytes; immortalization