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Isolation and Culture of Primary Hepatocytes from Resected Human Liver Tissue

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Hepatocytes

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 640))

Abstract

As our knowledge of the species differences in drug metabolism and drug-induced hepatotoxicity has expanded significantly, the need for human-relevant in vitro hepatic model systems has become more apparent than ever before. Human hepatocytes have become the “gold standard” for evaluating hepatic metabolism and toxicity of drugs and other xenobiotics in vitro. In addition, they are becoming utilized more extensively for many kinds of biomedical research, including a variety of biological, pharmacological, and toxicological studies. This chapter describes methods for the isolation of primary human hepatocytes from liver tissue obtained from an encapsulated end wedge removed from patients undergoing resection for removal of liver tumors or from resected segments from whole livers obtained from multi-organ donors. In addition, methods are described for culturing primary hepatocytes under various matrix compositions and geometries, which reestablish intercellular contacts and normal cellular architecture for optimal phenotypic gene expression and response to drugs and other xenobiotics in vitro. Overall, improved isolation, cultivation, and preservation methods have expanded the number of applications for primary human hepatocytes in basic research, which has allowed for exciting advances in our understanding of the biochemical and molecular mechanisms of human liver toxicity and disease.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Joel LeCluyse for providing photographic images (Figs. 3.1–3.3). We also acknowledge the invaluable contributions of Drs. Benjamin Calvo, Kevin Behrns, and David Gerber (USA) and the staff of Drs. Daniel Jaeck, Georges Mantion, and Bruno Heyd (France) for assistance with the procurement of human liver tissue in support of this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CellzDirect | Invitrogen Corp., Durham, NC, USA

    Edward L. LeCluyse

  2. Kaly-Cell, Bioparc, Illkirch, France

    Eliane Alexandre

Authors
  1. Edward L. LeCluyse
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  2. Eliane Alexandre
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Edward L. LeCluyse .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. INSERM U632, Labo. Physiopathologie Hépatique, Université Montpellier I, rte. Mende 1919, Montpellier, 34293, France

    Patrick Maurel

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LeCluyse, E.L., Alexandre, E. (2010). Isolation and Culture of Primary Hepatocytes from Resected Human Liver Tissue. In: Maurel, P. (eds) Hepatocytes. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 640. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-688-7_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-688-7_3

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60761-687-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60761-688-7

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