BACKGROUND: In contrast to adult hepatocytes, @entity2241 ( @entity2241 ) are thought to be highly proliferative, less immunogenic, and resistant to cryopreservation and @entity63 . These qualities could enhance @entity2241 engraftment, proliferation, and gene transfer requiring active DNA synthesis. METHODS: @entity35 @entity2241 were obtained using the nonperfusion collagenase/DNase digestion method. Free and cultured cells were studied using electron microscopy, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and Northern analysis using @entity12074 and albumin as markers of hepatocyte lineage. DNA synthetic activity was measured in quiescent and mitogen-stimulated fetal and adult hepatocytes by @entity665 incorporation. Susceptibility of cultured @entity2241 to retrovirally mediated gene transfer was studied using an amphotropic retroviral vector carrying the @entity526 lac-Z gene. Nagase analbuminemic @entity35 were used as recipients to study the effects of intraportal @entity2241 transplantation. Analysis of serum albumin was carried out by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: In fetal liver, 87+/-2% of the cells showed morphological and molecular features of hepatocytes. DNA synthetic activity in nonstimulated cultured @entity2241 was 10 times greater than the maximal hepatocyte growth factor-driven response in adult @entity35 hepatocytes. A total of 5-15% @entity2241 stained positive for X-gal; results of transduction in adult hepatocyte cultures were negative. In Nagase analbuminemic @entity35 recipients, @entity2241 produced significant amounts of albumin only when a hepatic regenerative stimulus was applied. Immunohistochemistry confirmed presence of albumin-positive hepatocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal @entity35 liver from the late gestation period is highly enriched with hepatocyte progenitors. They are highly proliferative and susceptible to retroviral transduction and can engraft and function in the adult @entity35 liver if transplanted under a hepatic regenerative stimulus.

Fetal XXXX hepatocytes: isolation, characterization, and transplantation in the Nagase analbuminemic @entity35 .

@entity12074 :: ('24177(Tax:10116)', 'Gene') :: ['alpha-fetoprotein'] @entity63 :: ('MESH:D007511', 'Disease') :: ['ischemic injury'] @entity526 :: ('562', 'Species') :: ['Escherichia coli'] @entity665 :: ('CHEBI:53526', 'Chemical') :: ['[3H]thymidine'] @entity35 :: ('10116', 'Species') :: ['rat', 'Rat', 'rats'] @entity2241 :: ('MESH:D005315', 'Disease') :: ['FH', 'fetal hepatocytes']
@entity35 :: (10116,Species) :: ['rat']
