Involvement of Cell Junctions in Hepatocyte Culture Functionality

In liver, like in other multicellular systems, the establishment of cellular contacts is a prerequisite for normal functioning. In particular, well-defined cell junctions between hepatocytes, including adherens junctions, desmosomes, tight junctions, and gap junctions, are known to play key roles in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Critical reviews in toxicology 2006-04, Vol.36 (4), p.299-318
Main Authors: Vinken, Mathieu, Papeleu, Peggy, Snykers, Sarah, De Rop, Evelien, Henkens, Tom, Chipman, James Kevin, Rogiers, Vera, Vanhaecke, Tamara
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adherens Junctions
Adherens Junctions - physiology
Biological and medical sciences
Desmosomes
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gap Junctions
Gap Junctions - physiology
Hepatocytes - cytology
Hepatocytes - physiology
Humans
Intercellular Junctions - physiology
Liver Functioning
Liver. Bile. Biliary tracts
Primary Hepatocyte Culture
Tight Junctions
Tight Junctions - physiology
Vertebrates: digestive system
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Summary:In liver, like in other multicellular systems, the establishment of cellular contacts is a prerequisite for normal functioning. In particular, well-defined cell junctions between hepatocytes, including adherens junctions, desmosomes, tight junctions, and gap junctions, are known to play key roles in the performance of liver-specific functionality. In a first part of this review article, we summarize the current knowledge concerning cell junctions and their roles in hepatic (patho)physiology. In a second part, we discuss their relevance in liver-based in vitro modeling, thereby highlighting the use of primary hepatocyte cultures as suitable in vitro models for preclinical pharmaco-toxicological testing. We further describe the actual strategies to regain and maintain cell junctions in these in vitro systems over the long-term.
ISSN:1040-8444
1547-6898
DOI:10.1080/10408440600599273