Cell Specification
Hepatic stellate cells (HSteC) are intralobular connective tissue cells presenting myofibroblast-like or lipocyte phenotypes. They participate in the homeostasis of liver extracellular matrix, repair, regeneration, fibrosis and control retinol metabolism, storage and release. Following liver injury, HSteC transform into myofibroblast-like cells and are the major source of type I collagen in the fibrotic liver. Beyond these feature, HSteC have been implicated as regulators of hepatic microcirculation via cell contraction, and in disease states, in the pathogenesis of intrahepatic portal hypertension [1, 2]. Proliferation and migration of HSteC and expression of chemokines are involved in the pathogenesis of liver inflammation and fibrogenesis. HSteC possess voltage-activated calcium current, express the low affinity nerve growth factor receptor p75, and undergo apoptosis in response to nerve growth factor stimulation [3, 4]. Therefore, the new insight into the molecular regulation of HSteC activation will lead to therapeutic approaches in treatment of hepatic fibrosis in the future, and could lead to reduced morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic liver injury.

HHSteC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from human liver. HHSteC are cryopreserved at secondary culture and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 10⁵ cells in 1 ml volume. HHSteC are characterized by immunofluorescent method with antibodies to desmin, a-actin, and fibronectin. HHSteC are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. HHSteC are guaranteed to further expand for 15 population doublings in the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories.

Recommended Medium
It is recommended to use Stellate Cell Medium (SCM, Cat. No. 5301) for the culturing of human hepatic stellate cells in vitro.

Product Use
HHSteC are for research use only. It is not approved for human or animal use, or for application in in vitro diagnostic procedures.

Storage
Directly and immediately transfer cells from dry ice to liquid nitrogen upon receiving and keep the cells in liquid nitrogen until cell culture is needed for experiments.

Shipping
Dry ice.

Reference
[1]. Reynaert H, Thompson MG, Thomas T, Geerts A. (2004) Hepatic stellate cells: role in microcirculation and pathophysiology of portal hypertension. Gut 50:571-581
[2]. Rockey D. C. (2001) Hepatic blood flow regulation by stellate cells in normal and injured liver. Semin Liver Dis 21(3):337-49
[3]. Oide H, Tateyama M, Wang XE, Hirose M, Itatsu T, Watanabe S, Ochi R, Sato N. (1999) Activated stellate (Ito) cells possess voltage-activated calcium current. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1418:158-164.
[4]. Trim N, Morgan S, Evans M, Issa R, Fine D, Afford S, Wilkins B, Iredale J. (2000) Hepatic stellate cells express the low affinity nerve growth factor receptor p75 and undergo apoptosis in response to nerve growth factor stimulation. Am. J. Pathol. 156(4):1235-1243.