[Albumin secreting hepatocytes detected as plaque-forming cells in liquid medium]

Albumin-secretins hepatocytes were detected as plaque-forming cells when incubated in a complete culture medium containing sheep eythrocytes coated with purified anti-albumin, plus anti-albumin serum and complement added at appropriate dilutions. Plaque-formation is observed after incubation at 37 degrees C for 1 h 1/2 between two properly spaced microscope slides sealed with paraffin. Plaque enumeration revealed that 17-18% of normal adult rat lover cells secreted albumin. The assay which is reproductible and highly sensitive is also done in a single step.