Hepatocyte growth control: in vitro approach to problems of liver regeneration and function

Primary monolayer fetal and adult rat hepatocyte culture systems, which are being used to help analyze in vivo mechanisms controlling liver regeneration, proliferation, and differentiation are described. With results from animal studies of normal or genetically altered rats subjected to partial hepatectomy, to chemical infusions, or to specific dietary deficiency regimens, an apparently complex growth regulatory pattern has emerged. The data suggest a working hypothesis postulating interactions among hormone, nutritional, lipoprotein, and novel nucleotide factors at multiple regulatory sites. These findings may provide some conceptual and experimental basis for future research regarding the development of hepatic cancer, as it may arise spontaneously or from exposure to environmental carcinogens.