Generation of Fluorescently Labeled Cell Lines, C3A Hepatoma Cells, and Human Adult Skin Fibroblasts to Study Coculture Models.

Samluk, Anna; Zakrzewska, Karolina Ewa; Pluta, Krzysztof Dariusz

Hepatic/nonhepatic cell cocultures are widely used in studies on the role of homo- and heterotypic interactions in liver physiology and pathophysiology. In this article, for the first time, establishment of the coculture model employing hepatoma C3A cells and human skin fibroblasts, stably expressing fluorescent markers, is described. Suitability of the model in studying coculture conditions using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry was examined. C3A cells spontaneously formed island-like growth patterns surrounded by fibroblasts. The 'islands' size and resulting intensity of the homo- and heterotypic interactions can easily be tuned by applying various plated cells ratios. We examined the capability of the hepatoma cells to produce albumin in hepatic/nonhepatic cell cocultures. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) tests showed that greater number of fibroblasts in coculture, resulting in smaller sizes of hepatoma 'islands,' and thus, a larger heterotypic interface, promoted higher albumin synthesis. The use of fluorescently labeled cells in flow cytometry measurements enabled us to separately gate two cell populations and to evaluate protein expression only in/on cells of interest. Flow cytometry confirmed ELISA results indicating the highest albumin production in hepatoma cells cocultured with the greatest number of fibroblasts and the inhibited protein synthesis in coculture with osteosarcoma cells.

LIVER cells; FLOW cytometry; FLUORESCENCE microscopy; FIBROBLASTS; ALBUMINS

Artificial Organs, 2013, Vol 37, Issue 7, pE123

0160-564X

Academic Journal

10.1111/aor.12064