[Liver specific gene expressions in human fetal hepatocyte culture]

The authors studied the function of human fetal liver cell--on level of DNA and gene regulation--by methods of molecular biology. Experiments were done under strict observation of the ethical guidelines of the 1975 Declaration of Helsinki Human Research Committee. They conclude that human fetal liver culture may serve as a suitable in vitro modell for study of the liver specific gene expressions. They found that cultured human fetal liver cells from second trimester express albumin and AFP. They demonstrate that fetal hepatocytes--like adult hepatocytes--respond to the inflammatory mediators, IL-1, IL-6 and TNF, by induction of CRP and alpha-1-Ach expression and regression of albumin synthesis proving the ability of fetal hepatocytes to produce an acute phase response.