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Morphometrical characterization of isolated rat hepatocytes
H David1, W Krause, D Behrisch
1Department of Ultrastructural Pathology and Electron Microscopy, Charité Hospital, Humboldt University Berlin, GDR.
Biomedica Biochimica Acta
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Isolated rat hepatocytes exhibit significant changes, including a 50% volume decrease and increased mitochondrial volume density, suggesting cytoplasmic material is shed. These findings are crucial for interpreting metabolism studies on isolated hepatocytes.
Area of Science:
- Hepatocyte biology
- Cellular ultrastructure
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Isolated hepatocytes are widely used for metabolic studies.
- Understanding the structural integrity of isolated cells is vital for accurate interpretation of experimental data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the morphological and volumetric differences between isolated and in situ adult rat hepatocytes.
- To investigate the structural basis for observed changes in isolated hepatocytes, particularly mitochondrial volume density.
Main Methods:
- Stereological analysis of isolated and in situ adult rat hepatocytes.
- Microscopic examination of hepatocyte ultrastructure, including plasma membrane features and organelle distribution.
Main Results:
- Mononuclear hepatocytes (81%) and binuclear hepatocytes (19%) were identified with distinct volume and surface area.
- Isolated hepatocytes showed a ~50% volume decrease compared to in situ cells.
- Mitochondrial volume density in isolated hepatocytes was approximately double that of in situ hepatocytes.
- A significant organelle-free ectoplasmic zone and centralized organelles were observed in isolated cells.
Conclusions:
- The observed volume decrease and increased relative mitochondrial volume in isolated hepatocytes likely result from the shedding of cytoplasmic protrusions (cytopheres).
- These structural alterations must be considered to prevent misinterpretation of metabolic data derived from isolated hepatocyte studies.