Study of cell-cell interaction in hepatocyte co-culture

Abstract

Co-culturing of rat hepatocytes and NIH3t3 fibroblasts is known to enhance hepatocyte functions but the specific mechanisms by which co-cultivation of the two cell types modulates hepatocyte functions have remained unclear. Direct intercellular contact between these two cell types is known to be imperative in enhancing hepatocyte functions in the co-culture system. This study aimed to establish the existence and also the kinetics of intercellular communication between NIH3t3 fibroblasts and rat hepatocytes thorough the development of various novel assays (eg. cryosectioning of microcapsules and collagen scaffolds). These assays were specifically designed to establish cell-to-cell communication in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional cultures.