Fibronectin regulates morphology, cell organization and gene expression of rat fetal hepatocytes in primary culture

摘要: Abstract Background/Aims: The extracellular matrix regulates hepatic development and regeneration, modulating the maintenance of liver architecture in differentiated state. aim this work was to analyze how different molecules modulate fetal hepatocyte morphology, growth differentiation. Methods: We cultured hepatocytes either on plastic or proteins, i.e., collagen I, fibronectin E-C-L (entactin-collagen IV-laminin) we analyzed cell attachment, morphological organization, proliferative response gene expression. Results: Cell attachment increased by all proteins a similar extent. However, only facilitated formation elongated cord-like structures, reminiscent plate organization. Immunocytochemical analysis cells these structures revealed high levels albumin cytokeratin 18, phenotypical markers parenchymal hepatocytes. Fibronectin did not block mitogenic stimuli induced epidermal factor appeared absence presence mitogen. Cells fibronectin, regardless whether present not, also presented maximal expression for specific genes, such as alpha-fetoprotein. This coincident with an nuclear (HNF)-4 higher HNF-1α/HNF-1β ratio, when compared those that were matrix. Conclusions: These results suggest might play differential role, other organization