Syndecan-1 gene expression in isolated rat liver cells (hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, endothelial and Ito cells)

Normal liver contains mainly heparan sulfate proteoglycans. To determine which liver cells are able to express syndecan-1 RNA, hepatocytes, endothelial, Kupffer and Ito cells were isolated from normal rat liver and kept in culture. Rat fibroblasts, monocytes and peritoneal macrophages were also studied. Immediately after isolation the steady state level of syndecan messages in hepatocytes was comparable to that of the normal liver. The expression increased at day one and then remained constant until day five. Ito and endothelial cells contained a low amount of syndecan message. Freshly isolated Kupffer cells failed to express syndecan, but strong upregulation was found on the first day in culture which gradually decreased by day 5. Syndecan transcripts were dose and time dependently upregulated by endotoxin and gamma interferon in Kupffer cells. Endotoxin had no effect on fibroblasts.