Description

Hepatic stellate cells (HSteC) are pericytes found in the perisinusoidal space and exhibit myofibroblast-like or lipocyte phenotypes. They participate in the homeostasis, repair, and regeneration of liver extracellular matrix, and control retinol metabolism, storage, and release. Following liver injury, HSteC proliferate, transform into myofibroblast-like cells, and produce type I collagen in the fibrotic liver. HSteC have been implicated as a regulator of hepatic microcirculation via cell contraction in the pathogenesis of intrahepatic portal hypertension [1]. HSteC also have voltage-activated calcium channels, express the low affinity nerve growth factor receptor p75, and respond to nerve growth factor stimulation by undergoing apoptosis [2, 3]. Understanding the molecular regulation of HSteC activation may lead to the development of new therapies for treatment of hepatic fibrosis and chronic liver disease. 

 

MHSteC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from postnatal day 2 mouse liver. MHSteC are cryopreserved at passage one and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 10^5 cells in 1 ml volume. MHSteC are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibodies specific to desmin and α-actin. MHSteC are negative for mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi. MHSteC are guaranteed to further expand for 5 population doublings under the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories.

 

Recommended Medium

It is recommended to use Stellate Cell Medium (SteCM, Cat. #5301) for culturing MHSteC in vitro.

 

Product Use

MHSteC are for research use only. They are not approved for human or animal use, or for application in in vitro diagnostic procedures.

 

Storage

Upon receiving, directly and immediately transfer the cells from dry ice to liquid nitrogen and keep the cells in liquid nitrogen until they are needed for experiments.

 

Shipping

Dry ice.

 

Reference

[1] Reynaert H, Thompson MG, Thomas T, Geerts A. (2002) "Hepatic stellate cells: role in microcirculation and pathophysiology of portal hypertension." Gut 50: 571-81. 

[2] Oide H, Tateyama M, Wang XE, Hirose M, Itatsu T, Watanabe S, Ochi R, Sato N. (1999) "Activated stellate (Ito) cells possess voltage-activated calcium current." Biochim Biophys Acta. 1418: 158-64. 

[3] Trim N, Morgan S, Evans M, Issa R, Fine D, Afford S, Wilkins B, Iredale J. (2000) "Hepatic stellate cells express the low affinity nerve growth factor receptor p75 and undergo apoptosis in response to nerve growth factor stimulation." Am J Pathol. 156: 1235-43.