To begin, set up the fluorescence-activated cell sorting, or FACS machine, for cell sorting following the manufacturer's instructions. Place the sample tube on the FACS machine and load it. Gate TMRM-high and ALCAM negative population in the P1 region to sort non-hepatocytes.
Then gate the TMRM high and ALCAM positive population in the P2 region to sort hepatocytes. Collect sorted cells in 15-milliliter collection tubes containing hepatocyte maturation medium. After sorting, remove the collection tube from the FACS machine.
Centrifuge the sorted cell suspension at 200 G for five minutes at 18 degrees Celsius. Remove the supernatant, and re-suspend the pellet in two milliliters of hepatocyte maturation medium with 10 micromolar rock inhibitor and 20 nanomolar cyclosporine A.Seed the cells on mitomycin C-treated mouse embryonic fibroblasts with hepatocyte maturation medium in a six-well plate. Culture the cells in a 37-degree Celsius carbon dioxide incubator for five days before immuno staining for hepatocyte purity test.
FACS analysis conducted on day 27 of hepatic differentiation revealed TMRM high and ALCAM positive population. The immunohistochemical staining of P1 and P2 cells cultured on mouse embryonic fibroblasts after sorting is shown. A purity test by counting albumin-positive cells showed 0%of P1, and approximately 97%of P2 cells were hepatocyte-like cells.
