Abstract: To seek ideal source of hepatocytes for bioartificial liver, we cultured hepatocytes in serum-free medium at high density. The morphological and functional characteristics of hepatocytes were observed. Hepatocytes showed the gradual development of bile canaliculi-like structures into an anastomatic network and high level of albumin mRNA expression by in situ hybridization was observed. The results suggests that hepatocytes cultured in serum-free medium at high-density can reconstruct in vivo-like structure and function and can be used as an ideal source for bioartificial liver.

Key words: hepatocyte, in situ hybridization, bioartificial liver