Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 31, 2026

Induction of an Inflammatory Response in Primary Hepatocyte Cultures from Mice
Published on: March 10, 2017
Identification of a liver growth factor as an albumin-bilirubin complex
Abstract:
We have reported the purification and characterization of a protein that behaves as a liver growth factor, showing activity either in vivo or in vitro [Díaz-Gil et al. (1986) Biochem. J. 235, 49-55]. In the present paper, we identify this liver growth factor (LGF) as an albumin-bilirubin complex. This conclusion is supported by the results of chemical and spectroscopic characterization of this protein as well as by experiments in vivo. Incubation of albumin isolated from normal rats with bilirubin/albumin molar ratios (r) resulted (when r = 1 or 2) in a complex with liver DNA synthesis promoter activity identical with that of LGF. The exact amount of bilirubin bound to albumin was assessed by fluorescence and c.d. spectra. This albumin-bilirubin complex showed the same dose-dependence profile as LGF either at low or high dose of protein injected per mouse. Both LGF and albumin-bilirubin complex produced similar increases in the mitotic index of mouse hepatocytes in vivo. A new mechanism for the onset of the hepatic regenerative process is proposed.
Related Concept Videos
Liver Regeneration
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are large...
Liver Histology
Hepatocytes perform a variety of essential functions. They secrete...
Cirrhosis I: Introduction
Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology
Jaundice

