We thank Dr. Davide Selvestrel and prof. Giovanni Sorrentino of the SorrentinoLab at the University of Trieste for helping us perform the EdU proliferation assay. The work was supported by a Banca d&#39;Italia ad hoc grant and intramural FIF grants.

All procedures and animal housing were conducted according to the guidelines of the Italian Law and European Community directive. The experimental protocol was approved by the local Animal Care Committee and by the Italian Health Ministry (permit n&#176; 321/2022-PR) according to art.31 of decree 26/2014.
1. Preparation for the animal procedure
NOTE: Please refer to Table 1 for the medium and buffer composition and to the Table of Materials for commercial details.
<ol>
	<li>Warm the water bath at 42 &#176;C and then place the Perfusion buffer and 1x PBS in the water bath for about 20 min. 
	NOTE: Due to enzyme sensitivity, the Digestion buffer is warmed only when the Perfusion procedure has been successfully started. During the perfusion procedure, maintain the solutions in the water bath.</li>
	<li>Place William&#39;s complete medium and PBS + 3% P/S on ice.</li>
	<li>Prepare the peristaltic pump and connect the tubing with the glass bottle and the bubble trap, both filled with Perfusion buffer.</li>
	<li>While priming the pump, fill the tubing with warm Perfusion buffer in order to remove air and wash residual ethanol (low pump speed). This step is also important to check for the correct pump operation and possible tube leakage.</li>
</ol>
2. Preparation for hepatocyte isolation
<ol>
	<li>During the animal procedure, expose the following instruments to UV light: Petri dish 100 mm, cell strainer 100 &#181;m, scraper size M, large tweezers, beaker for ice, tray for ice.</li>
</ol>
3. Initial animal procedure and anesthesia
<ol>
	<li>Anesthetize the adult rat (250-350 g body weight; 10-12 weeks old) by intraperitoneal injection of anesthetics mix (final concentration for xylazine: 22.5 mg/kg; for ketamine: 112.5 mg/kg; approx. final volume: 0.8-1.0 mL).</li>
	<li>Monitor the depth of anesthesia by toe pinching until the rat no longer responds to noxious stimuli. It usually takes 5 min. The anesthetic dose ensures deep, surgical anesthesia that minimizes the risk of suffering or distress during the procedure 
	NOTE: Exsanguination is the secondary method of rat euthanasia used in this experiment, and it ensures that the animal has been euthanized effectively.</li>
	<li>Shave the abdomen and clean it with 70% ethanol to reduce bacterial contamination during the surgery. 
	NOTE: This is a non-survival surgery, so full asepsis is not maintained.</li>
	<li>Place the rat in the middle of the dissection tray and secure the limbs using needles.</li>
	<li>Make a U-shaped incision through the skin and muscle from the center of the lower abdomen to the rib cage, clamp the skin, and fold it up to the head, exposing the intestines.</li>
	<li>Carefully move the intestine to the left side of the animal, out of the abdominal cavity, and expose the hepatic portal vein and vena cava.</li>
	<li>Using pliers run a cotton thread under the portal vein and prepare 2 knots, 1 cm one from the other, that surround the vein itself. 
	NOTE: A black thread is easier to visualize.</li>
	<li>Inject 100-150 IU of heparin dissolved in 1x PBS (total volume 300 &#181;L) into the vena cava to prevent blood coagulation.</li>
</ol>
4. Cannulation and liver perfusion
<ol>
	<li>Turn on the pump at a low-speed rate (less than 1 mL/min flow).</li>
	<li>Insert the 18 G angiocath in the portal vein at the level of the thread at a flat angle relative to the vein.</li>
	<li>Manually remove the inner needle to leave the cannula in the vein. Blood will flow inside it, filling up the plug and avoiding trapped air bubbles in the following step.</li>
	<li>While the perfusion buffer flows in the tubing, connect the cannula by pressing the C button to the outlet end using a Luer lock connector.</li>
	<li>At this point, tie the knots, one around the catheter inside the vein and one around the catheter, before entering the vein to stabilize the tube in the right position.</li>
	<li>Cut the vena cava to let the blood exit. Ensure that the liver starts swelling and bleaching quickly (seconds) in 2-3 s. This confirms that the perfusion buffer is correctly flowing through the liver. 
	NOTE: If some lobes remain red, the angiocatheter is placed too deeply. If there are only red spots, lightly tapping on the liver can help the perfusion in the specific points. Pour some 1x PBS over the open abdomen to help move the blood and check for leaks.</li>
	<li>Slowly increase the pump flow to 10 mL/min and maintain it for at least 10 min to allow the cleaning of the liver from blood.</li>
	<li>During the perfusion, apply pressure to the vena cava with a cotton bud for 10 s intervals: Ensure that the liver swells upon clamping and relaxes upon release. Repeat the pressure periodically (5-10 times) and check for liver swelling and relaxation. 
	NOTE: This step serves as a crucial checkpoint for visibly validating perfusion. It has been essential in ensuring high hepatocyte vitality and maximizing the final yield. By actively verifying this process, the buffer can effectively reach all parts of the liver vasculature, which passive blood clearing alone would not achieve.</li>
</ol>
5. Liver digestion
<ol>
	<li>After the perfusion, switch to the pre-warmed Digestion buffer without interrupting the flow and avoiding air bubbles in the tubing. 
	NOTE: Temporarily reducing the flow can help perform this passage. The digestion buffer includes phenol red, which facilitates visualization of switching from the Perfusion buffer to the Digestion buffer.</li>
	<li>Increase the pump speed to 20 mL/min and periodically press with the swab for liver swelling and relaxation.</li>
	<li>After this step (lasting about 15 minutes), ensure that the liver becomes increasingly mushy. At this point, the needle can be removed, and the pump stops.</li>
	<li>As the liver capsule is fragile after digestion, gently and carefully dissect the liver: grab the central connective tissue between the lobes with forceps. Cut all the connections to other organs and lift the liver.</li>
	<li>Wash the liver, immersing it in the pre-chilled PBS + 3% P/S solution for a few seconds. Then, place it in the pre-chilled William&#39;s complete medium-containing tube. 
	NOTE: Exsanguination and death ensure perfusion via the vena cava. The confirmation of the animal&#39;s death comes from the pneumothorax induced the moment the liver is explanted, and the diaphragm is fully dissected, and upon inspection, breathing and heartbeat are no longer functional.</li>
</ol>
6. Hepatocyte purification
<ol>
	<li>Under the biological hood, transfer the liver into the Petri dish 100 mm with the 15 mL of cold William&#39;s complete medium over a tray full of ice.</li>
	<li>Press the organ vigorously with the scraper to release the cells in the medium. 
	NOTE: If the digestion phase is correctly executed, the cell release should be easy and not require much pressure on the liver. Do not cut the liver in pieces; leave it intact. Keeping the liver submerged in the medium improves cell release.</li>
	<li>Collect the medium-containing cells and filter them with the 100 &#181;m filter while transferring them to a sterile conical tube. The filtration allows the removal of connective tissues and undigested tissue fragments.</li>
	<li>Pour about 15 mL of cold William&#39;s complete medium over the smashed liver in the Petri dish to help release more cells. Repeat steps 6.2 and 6.3.</li>
	<li>Repeat point 6.4 at least once, until all cells are released. If necessary, divide the medium into more conical tubes and use multiple 100 &#181;m filters. 
	NOTE: After the hepatocytes are released and before filtering, the medium should look opaque because of the hepatocytes&#39; presence. The remaining liver should look fibrous and will be discarded.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge the filtered medium containing hepatic cells at 50 x g for 3 min at 4 &#176;C with a low-speed brake. 
	NOTE: Hepatocytes are denser than other liver cells. Due to low centrifugation force, only hepatocytes will be in the pellet, while other cells will remain in the supernatant.</li>
	<li>Discard the supernatant without disturbing the cell pellet. Gently add about 40 mL of ice-cold William&#39;s complete medium in the tube and slowly pipette up and down 2 to 3 times to resuspend the cell pellet. 
	NOTE: The cell pellet must be resuspended carefully in order to avoid damaging the cells.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge at 50 x g for 3 min at 4 &#176;C. 
	NOTE: For the first tries, count the viable cells with a 1:10 trypan blue assay after the second centrifugation before proceeding to the next steps. This can avoid wasting media and time if all the cells are dead.</li>
	<li>Discard the supernatant and resuspend the cell pellet in 25 mL of ice-cold William&#39;s complete medium.</li>
	<li>Add 25 mL of 90% density gradient solution into the tube and gently mix. 
	NOTE: A density gradient solution separates viable hepatocytes from dead hepatocytes and cell debris based on their density.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge at 200 x g for 10 min at 4 &#176;C. A visible pellet must be obtained on the bottom of the tube, corresponding to the viable hepatocytes, and a clear layer on the top of the gradient composed of dead hepatocytes. 
	NOTE: If there is no pellet at all, try to mix the solution again by swirling and repeat the centrifugation.</li>
	<li>Aspirate the dead cell layer from the top of the gradient and leave 1-2 mL of the medium with the pellet.</li>
	<li>Resuspend the pellet in 30-40 mL of William&#39;s complete medium. 
	NOTE: For the entire procedure, use only 25 mL serological pipettes. Smaller bore pipettes may reduce hepatocyte viability. All the steps should be conducted on ice to maintain +4&#176;C.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge at 200 x g for 10 min at 4&#176;C, then aspirate the supernatant.</li>
</ol>
7. Hepatocyte culture and RNA collection
<ol>
	<li>Add an appropriate amount of medium for cell counting. Count cell viability with 1:10 Trypan blue.</li>
	<li>2D hepatocyte culture
	<ol>
		<li>Plate cells at the concentration of 500,000 cells/well of 6-well dish on a collagen-coated cell plate with pre-warmed William&#39;s complete medium.</li>
		<li>Place the cell culture in a humidified incubator with 95% air, 5% CO2 at 37 &#176;C.</li>
		<li>After 4 h, change the medium to the new pre-warmed William&#39;s complete medium.</li>
		<li>Keep cells in the incubator. Change the medium daily.</li>
		<li>Collect primary hepatocytes in a reagent for RNA extraction before plating (day 0) and at Days 1 to 3 of culture.</li>
		<li>Extract RNA according to the manufacturer&#39;s protocol and reverse-transcribe it to cDNA for evaluation of hepatic marker genes by RT-qPCR. The primer list is presented in Table 2.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>For 3D long-term hepatocyte culture:
	<ol>
		<li>Resuspend the cells in the cold pure matrix at the concentration of 1,000-10,000 cells in 20 &#181;L. 
		NOTE: Try to avoid making matrix bubbles .</li>
		<li>Using pre-chilled pipette tips, plate matrix-containing cell droplets into pre-warmed cell-culture plate.</li>
		<li>Turn the plate upside down and leave it in the cell culture incubator for 20-30 min.</li>
		<li>Turn it up and add the pre-warmed 3D long-term hepatocyte medium and specific culture medium according to Peng&#39;s work22. Keep cells in the incubator.</li>
		<li>Change the 3D long-term hepatocyte medium every 2-3 days.</li>
		<li>At least after 14 days of culture, the Hep-Orgsare separated from the matrix and viable Hep-Orgs are evaluated by Trypan blue and EdU proliferation assay and passaged according to Peng&#39;s work.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>

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All authors have disclosed any and all conflicts of interest.

3D-organoids are a frontier for personalized medicine and allow a long-term hepatocyte culture. The quality of this innovative technique requires a good yield of viable primary hepatocytes and well-performed liver perfusion and hepatocytes isolation. This old procedure is still widely used; however, it comprises different steps that can be challenging. Approaching the procedure, we experienced critical issues such as bacterial contamination, low liver digestion efficiency, low primary hepatocyte yield, and low hepatocyte...

Primary hepatocytes are an important and widely used tool for in vitro liver-related studies. However, their expansion and maintenance have been historically challenging, as they lose morphology and functionality after a few days in the culture1. 2D culture is a limiting condition, in particular, for hepatocytes that have a polygonal shape and polarized structure with differentiated apical and basolateral membranes. In fact, hepatocyte adhesion to the plate interferes with their normal activity because it leads to a flat cytoskeleton with limited interaction among cells and between cells and extracellular matrix (ECM), reducing the polarization and the involved signaling pathways2.
To bypass the limitations of this method, Dunn and colleagues3 first used the collagen double layer. This culture method, known as &#34;the sandwich-culture method,&#34; is based on seeding primary hepatocytes between the two layers of the matrix. This method has many advantages, including long-term culture, maintenance of polygonal morphology, and transcriptional activities comparable to that of freshly isolated hepatocytes4. A similar method, based on the same principle, where the underlay is composed of Matrigel while the overlay of collagen, has evidenced the presence of a well-established canalicular network5.
Despite the reliability of the sandwich culture method for hepatocyte growth, the present work looks forward to setting up a 3D-organoid culture, an in vitro tool used for recapitulating tissues in a dish and forming a potential bridge toward personalized medicine, allowing the generation of disease-specific biological insights, identifying molecular targets, testing drugs, establishing biobanks, and opening up new horizons for innovative technologies like organ-on-chip6. Primary hepatocytes were embedded in hemispherical matrix droplets known as &#34;domes&#34; to allow a robust growth of organoids inside the domes and to guarantee the flow of the soluble factors, including hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), from the culture medium. These growth factors directly activate signaling pathways to ensure the survival of the hepatocytes7. Liver organoids are usually obtained from stem/progenitor cells isolated from embryonic stages or adult rats, mice, human (and also dogs and cats) liver8. Even if the 3D conformation improves the differentiation of stem cells to adult hepatocytes, this tool still lacks the maturity of the original primary tissue9. To overcome this problem, in 2018, two different groups9,10 simultaneously published a protocol to obtain a long-term culture of 3D liver organoids starting from adult primary mouse hepatocytes (referred to as Hep-Orgs). Their protocols recapitulate the proliferative damage response of liver regeneration, growing hepatocytes with a high level of inflammatory cytokines as it occurs after partial hepatectomy. Indeed, the above studies demonstrate that hepatocytes can switch to a ductal state following injury12 or when cholangiocyte proliferation is suppressed13. Their bipotent capacity allows cellular plasticity, which is important for complex structures such as organoids. Therefore, these protocols overcome the problem of the inability to expand primary hepatocytes in vitro.
The 3D organoid cutting-edge tool requires the ability to isolate cells from adult tissue, and this initial step is crucial for a high-quality final result. While the 3D organoid preparation could be considered a recent and developing technique (because the organoid definition was coined by Lancaster14 and Huch15 only ten years ago), the two-step collagenase perfusion is an old procedure introduced by Seglen in the 1970s16. Focusing on the most recent publications in the field, the protocols of Ng17 and Shen18 could be considered the gold standard for performing the procedure in rats, while the ones of Cabral19 and Charni-Natan20 for mice. It is not unusual for researchers to focus on choosing the best extracellular matrix (ECM) and growth factors to develop 3D organoids yet bump into failures such as improper surgical procedure, low hepatocytes viability and yield, or high levels of bacterial contamination. These problems lengthen the downstream experiments and increase the number of animals needed for the following experiments. Conversely, if the surgical and isolation procedures are well set up, the high number of viable hepatocytes obtained allows for preparing a huge number of organoids, thus limiting the use of animals. The present protocol mainly addresses these issues using commercial solutions and by optimizing a precise portal vein cannulation that ensures optimal perfusion and digestion steps with the liver in situ.
In order to improve the quality, reproducibility, and translatability of our animal research, we carefully considered the PREPARE guidelines: Planning Research and Experimental Procedures on Animals: Recommendations for Excellence21. These reporting guidelines try to increase the likelihood of success through planning and represent an important step in the implementation of the 3Rs of Russel and Burch (replacement, reduction, and refinement). The PREPARE guidelines cover 15 main topics that should be addressed according to each individual research project. We will describe the topics we focused on during the planning and preparation of the project.
The present work aims to describe, in an exhaustive, detailed, and consequential protocol, the crucial steps of the surgery in the rat model to allow researchers to speed up and optimize the downstream work. When we approached these protocols at first, we experienced problems of bacterial contamination, low liver digestion efficiency, low primary hepatocyte yield, and low hepatocyte viability that can easily affect the success of the technique. Showing how to address and solve critical features, this protocol optimized the procedure for primary rat hepatocyte isolation. The rat liver perfusion and the subsequent primary adult hepatocyte isolation are the main preliminary steps for different applications. In particular, this protocol is suitable for all procedures requiring a good yield of high-quality and high-viability adult hepatocytes. The protocol results are appropriate to establish in vitro models to study liver physiology and pathology.

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			<td>A83-01- ALK5 Inhibitor IV</td>
			<td>Twin Helix</td>
			<td>&#160;T3031</td>
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			<td>B27</td>
			<td>Thermofisher Scientific</td>
			<td>0080085SA</td>
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			<td>CFX Connect Real-Time PCR Detection System&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;Bio-Rad</td>
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			<td>CHIR99021</td>
			<td>Twin Helix</td>
			<td>T2310</td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Click EdU Alexa 488 imaging kit</td>
			<td>Thermofisher Scientific</td>
			<td>C10499</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td>Collagen, Type I, solution from rat tail</td>
			<td>Merck</td>
			<td>C3867-1VL</td>
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			<td>Dexamethasone&#160;</td>
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			<td>&#160;E9644</td>
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			<td>Fetal bovine serum (FBS)</td>
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			<td>Heparin Sodium 25000 IU/5 ml</td>
			<td>B. Braun Melsungen AG</td>
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			<td>Peprotech</td>
			<td>&#160;100-39H&#160;</td>
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			<td>Insulin-Transferrin-Selenium solution 100x&#160;</td>
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			<td>L-Glutamine solution</td>
			<td>Euroclone</td>
			<td>ECB3000D</td>
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			<td>Liver Digest Medium&#160;</td>
			<td>Thermofisher Scientific</td>
			<td>&#160;17703-034</td>
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			<td>Liver Perfusion Medium</td>
			<td>Thermofisher Scientific</td>
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			<td>Thermofisher Scientific</td>
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			<td>N-acetylcysteine</td>
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			<td>Nicotinamide</td>
			<td>Merck</td>
			<td>&#160;N-0636</td>
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			<td>Non-Essential Amino Acids</td>
			<td>Merck</td>
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			<td>Normocin</td>
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			<td>ant-nr-1</td>
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			<td>PBS buffer 1X</td>
			<td>PanReac AppliChem</td>
			<td>A0964,9050</td>
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			<td>Penicillin-streptomycin solution 100x</td>
			<td>Euroclone</td>
			<td>ECB3001D</td>
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			<td>Percoll</td>
			<td>Santa Cruz</td>
			<td>sc-296039A</td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Peristaltic pump</td>
			<td>Ismatec&#8482;&#160;</td>
			<td>MS-4/12 Reglo Digital Pump</td>
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			<td>TNFa</td>
			<td>Peprotech</td>
			<td>&#160;300-01A</td>
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			<td>TRI Reagent</td>
			<td>Merck</td>
			<td>T9424</td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Tubing&#160;</td>
			<td>Ismatec&#8482;&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;ID.2,79mm</td>
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			<td>Williams&#39; E Medium, no glutamine</td>
			<td>Thermofisher Scientific</td>
			<td>31415029</td>
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		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Y27632</td>
			<td>Twin Helix</td>
			<td>T1725</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
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</table>

rat liver perfusion and primary hepatocytes isolation: an old procedure crucial for cutting-edge 3d organoids culture

Primary hepatocytes are a commonly used tool for in vitro liver-related studies. However, the maintenance of these cells has always been a challenge due to the rapid loss of morphology, viability, and functionality in culture. A recent approach to long-term culture is the generation of three-dimensional (3D) organoids, an in vitro tool that can recapitulate tissues in a dish based on the marvelous ability of the liver to regenerate itself. Published protocols have been designed to obtain long-term functional 3D organoids from primary adult hepatocytes (Hep-Orgs). The 3D organoid cutting-edge tool requires the ability to isolate cells from adult tissue, and this initial step is crucial for a high-quality final result. The two-step collagenase perfusion, introduced in the 1970s, is still a valid procedure to obtain single hepatocytes. The present article aims to describe all the crucial steps of the surgical procedure, thereby optimizing the primary hepatocytes isolation procedure in the rat model. Moreover, particular attention is paid to the PREPARE guidelines to increase the likelihood of successful procedures and ensure high-quality results. A detailed protocol allows researchers to speed up and optimize the downstream work to establish 3D organoids from primary adult rat hepatocytes. Compared to 2D hepatocytes, Hep-Orgs were still viable and in active proliferation at Day 15, demonstrating a long-term potential.

At the end of the set-up procedures (step 6.13), we obtained a cell yield of up to 1 x 108 cells per isolation from the liver of about 300 g of a rat. Cell viability between 78% and 97% was established by Trypan blue counting.
As already described in previous studies1,18,19, primary hepatocytes in culture lose their morphology, liver-specific functions, and die within a few days.
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This protocol presents an optimized two-step collagenase liver perfusion technique in a rat model and shows the use of isolated hepatocytes for in vitro long-term culture of 3D organoids.

Rat Liver Perfusion and Primary Hepatocytes Isolation: An Old Procedure Crucial for Cutting-Edge 3D Organoids Culture

Primary hepatocytes are a commonly used tool for in vitro liver-related studies. However, the maintenance of these cells has always been a challenge due ...

rat-liver-perfusion-primary-hepatocytes-isolation-an-old-procedure

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

687 Views.  Italian Liver Foundation. This protocol presents an optimized two-step collagenase liver perfusion technique in a rat model and shows the use of isolated hepatocytes for in vitro long-term culture of 3D organoids.

Video: Rat Liver Perfusion and Primary Hepatocytes Isolation: An Old Procedure Crucial for Cutting-Edge 3D Organoids Culture

Primary Culture of Adult Rat Heart Myocytes

Cultured primary adult rodent heart cells are an important model system for cardiovascular research. Nevertheless, establishment of robust, viable cultured adult myocytes can be a technically challenging, rate-limiting step for many researchers. Here we described a protocol to obtain a high yield of adult rat heart myocytes that remain viable in culture for several days. The heart is isolated and perfused with collagenase and protease under low Ca2+ conditions to recover single myocytes. Ca2+-tolerant cells are obtained by stepwise increases in extracellular Ca2+ concentration in three subsequent wash steps. Cells are filtered, resuspended in culture medium, and plated on laminin coated slips. Cultured myocytes obtained using this protocol are viable for up to four days and are suitable for most experiments including electrophysiology, biochemistry, imaging and molecular biology.

In this paper, we described a typical way to isolate and culture adult rat heart myocytes. Collagenase and protease are used to digest and isolate single myocytes. Myocytes cultured follow this protocol meet most experiment requirements.

Cultured primary adult rodent heart cells are an important model system for cardiovascular research.  Nevertheless, establishment of robust, viable ...

Isolation of Rat Portal Fibroblasts by In situ Liver Perfusion

Liver fibrosis is defined by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix by activated myofibroblasts. There are multiple precursors of hepatic myofibroblasts, including hepatic stellate cells, portal fibroblasts and bone marrow derived fibroblasts 1. Hepatic stellate cells have been the best studied, but portal fibroblasts are increasingly recognized as important contributors to the myofibroblast pool, particularly in biliary fibrosis 2. Portal fibroblasts undergo proliferation in response to biliary epithelial injury, potentially playing a key role in the early stages of biliary scarring 3-5. A method of isolating portal fibroblasts would allow in vitro study of this cell population and lead to greater understanding of the role portal fibroblasts play in biliary fibrosis.
Portal fibroblasts have been isolated using various techniques including outgrowth 6, 7 and liver perfusion with enzymatic digestion followed by size selection 8. The advantage of the digestion and size selection technique compared to the outgrowth technique is that cells can be studied without the necessity of passage in culture. Here, we describe a modified version of the original technique described by Kruglov and Dranoff 8 for isolation of portal fibroblasts from rat liver that results in a relatively pure population of primary cells.

Isolation of Rat Portal Fibroblasts by In situ Liver Perfusion

A technique for isolating portal fibroblasts from rat liver is described. Livers are perfused and digested in situ with collagenase, followed by ex vivo digestion of the liver slurry and size selection of cells. This method provides a pure population of portal fibroblasts without the need for passage in culture.

Liver fibrosis is defined  by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix by activated  myofibroblasts. There are multiple precursors of hepatic ...

Isolation and Primary Culture of Rat Hepatic Cells

Primary hepatocyte culture is a valuable tool that has been extensively used in basic research of liver function, disease, pathophysiology, pharmacology and other related subjects. The method based on two-step collagenase perfusion for isolation of intact hepatocytes was first introduced by Berry and Friend in 1969 1 and, since then, has undergone many modifications. The most commonly used technique was described by Seglenin 1976 2. Essentially, hepatocytes are dissociated from anesthetized adult rats by a non-recirculating collagenase perfusion through the portal vein. The isolated cells are then filtered through a 100 &mu;m pore size mesh nylon filter, and cultured onto plates. After 4-hour culture, the medium is replaced with serum-containing or serum-free medium, e.g. HepatoZYME-SFM, for additional time to culture. These procedures require surgical and sterile culture steps that can be better demonstrated by video than by text. Here, we document the detailed steps for these procedures by both video and written protocol, which allow consistently in the generation of viable hepatocytes in large numbers.

Primary hepatocytes provide a valuable tool to evaluate biochemical, molecular, and metabolic functions in a physiologically relevant experimental system. We describe a reliable protocol for rat in situ liver perfusion, which consistently generates viable hepatocytes up to 1.0 &times; 108 cells per preparation with cell viability between 88 ~ 96%.

Primary hepatocyte culture is a valuable tool that has been extensively used in basic research of liver function, disease, pathophysiology, pharmacology ...

Isolation and Culture of Mouse Primary Pancreatic Acinar Cells

This protocol permits rapid isolation (in less than 1 hr) of murine pancreatic acini, making it possible to maintain them in culture for more than one week. More than 20 x 106 acinar cells can be obtained from a single murine pancreas. This protocol offers the possibility to independently process as many as 10 pancreases in parallel. Because it preserves acinar architecture, this model is well suited for studying the physiology of the exocrine pancreas in vitro in contrast to cell lines established from pancreatic tumors, which display many genetic alterations resulting in partial or total loss of their acinar differentiation.

In this publication, we describe a rapid and convenient procedure for isolating and culturing primary pancreatic acinar cells from the murine pancreas. This method constitutes a valuable approach to study the physiology of fresh primary normal/untransformed exocrine pancreatic cells.

This protocol permits rapid isolation (in less than 1 hr) of murine pancreatic acini, making it possible to maintain them in culture for more than one ...

Isolation of Human Hepatocytes by a Two-step Collagenase Perfusion Procedure

The liver, an organ with an exceptional regeneration capacity, carries out a wide range of functions, such as detoxification, metabolism and homeostasis. As such, hepatocytes are an important model for a large variety of research questions. In particular, the use of human hepatocytes is especially important in the fields of pharmacokinetics, toxicology, liver regeneration and translational research. Thus, this method presents a modified version of a two-step collagenase perfusion procedure to isolate hepatocytes as described by Seglen 1.
Previously, hepatocytes have been isolated by mechanical methods. However, enzymatic methods have been shown to be superior as hepatocytes retain their structural integrity and function after isolation. This method presented here adapts the method designed previously for rat livers to human liver pieces and results in a large yield of hepatocytes with a viability of 77&plusmn;10%. The main difference in this procedure is the process of cannulization of the blood vessels. Further, the method described here can also be applied to livers from other species with comparable liver or blood vessel sizes.

A modified two-step collagenase perfusion procedure for isolation of human hepatocytes is described. This method can also be applied to other mammalian livers. The isolated hepatocytes are available in high yield and viability, making them a suitable model for scientific research in areas such as liver regeneration, pharmacokinetics and toxicology.

The liver, an organ with an exceptional regeneration capacity, carries out a wide range of functions, such as detoxification, metabolism and homeostasis. ...

A Protocol for Lentiviral Transduction and Downstream Analysis of Intestinal Organoids

Intestinal crypt-villus structures termed organoids, can be kept in sustained culture three dimensionally when supplemented with the appropriate growth factors. Since organoids are highly similar to the original tissue in terms of homeostatic stem cell differentiation, cell polarity and presence of all terminally differentiated cell types known to the adult intestinal epithelium, they serve as an essential resource in experimental research on the epithelium. The possibility to express transgenes or interfering RNA using lentiviral or retroviral vectors in organoids has increased opportunities for functional analysis of the intestinal epithelium and intestinal stem cells, surpassing traditional mouse transgenics in speed and cost. In the current video protocol we show how to utilize transduction of small intestinal organoids with lentiviral vectors illustrated by use of doxycylin inducible transgenes, or IPTG inducible short hairpin RNA for overexpression or gene knockdown. Furthermore, considering organoid culture yields minute cell counts that may even be reduced by experimental treatment, we explain how to process organoids for downstream analysis aimed at quantitative RT-PCR, RNA-microarray and immunohistochemistry. Techniques that enable transgene expression and gene knock down in intestinal organoids contribute to the research potential that these intestinal epithelial structures hold, establishing organoid culture as a new standard in cell culture.

In this video protocol we give a step by step explanation of lentiviral transduction in organoids of primary intestinal epithelium and of processing and downstream analysis of these cultures by quantitative RT-PCR, RNA-microarray and immunohistochemistry.

Intestinal crypt-villus structures termed organoids, can be kept in sustained culture three dimensionally when supplemented with the appropriate growth ...

Isolation and Primary Culture of Mouse Aortic Endothelial Cells

The vascular endothelium is essential to normal vascular homeostasis. Its dysfunction participates in various cardiovascular disorders. The mouse is an important model for cardiovascular disease research. This study demonstrates a simple method to isolate and culture endothelial cells from the mouse aorta without any special equipment. To isolate endothelial cells, the thoracic aorta is quickly removed from the mouse body, and the attached adipose tissue and connective tissue are removed from the aorta. The aorta is cut into 1 mm rings. Each aortic ring is opened and seeded onto a growth factor reduced matrix with the endothelium facing down. The segments are cultured in endothelial cell growth medium for about 4 days. The endothelial sprouting starts as early as day 2. The segments are then removed and the cells are cultured continually until they reach confluence. The endothelial cells are harvested using neutral proteinase and cultured in endothelial cell growth medium for another two passages before being used for experiments. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that after the second passage the majority of cells were double positive for Dil-ac-LDL uptake, Lectin binding, and CD31 staining, the typical characteristics of endothelial cells. It is suggested that cells at the second to third passages are suitable for in vitro and in vivo experiments to study the endothelial biology. Our protocol provides an effective means of identifying specific cellular and molecular mechanisms in endothelial cell physiopathology.

The vascular endothelial cells play a significant role in many important cardiovascular disorders. This article describes a simple method to isolate and expand endothelial cells from the mouse aorta without using any special equipment. Our protocol provides an effective means of identifying mechanisms in endothelial cell physiopathology.

The vascular endothelium is essential to normal vascular homeostasis. Its dysfunction participates in various cardiovascular disorders. The mouse is an ...

Protocol for Isolation of Primary Human Hepatocytes and Corresponding Major Populations of Non-parenchymal Liver Cells

Beside parenchymal hepatocytes, the liver consists of non-parenchymal cells (NPC) namely Kupffer cells (KC), liver endothelial cells (LEC) and hepatic Stellate cells (HSC). Two-dimensional (2D) culture of primary human hepatocyte (PHH) is still considered as the &#34;gold standard&#34; for in vitro testing of drug metabolism and hepatotoxicity. It is well-known that the 2D monoculture of PHH suffers from dedifferentiation and loss of function. Recently it was shown that hepatic NPC play a central role in liver (patho-) physiology and the maintenance of PHH functions. Current research focuses on the reconstruction of in vivo tissue architecture by 3D- and co-culture models to overcome the limitations of 2D monocultures. Previously we published a method to isolate human liver cells and investigated the suitability of these cells for their use in cell cultures in Experimental Biology and Medicine1. Based on the broad interest in this technique the aim of this article was to provide a more detailed protocol for the liver cell isolation process including a video, which will allow an easy reproduction of this technique.
Human liver cells were isolated from human liver tissue samples of surgical interventions by a two-step EGTA/collagenase P perfusion technique. PHH were separated from the NPC by an initial centrifugation at 50 x g. Density gradient centrifugation steps were used for removal of dead cells. Individual liver cell populations were isolated from the enriched NPC fraction using specific cell properties and cell sorting procedures. Beside the PHH isolation we were able to separate KC, LEC and HSC for further cultivation.
Taken together, the presented protocol allows the isolation of PHH and NPC in high quality and quantity from one donor tissue sample. The access to purified liver cell populations could allow the creation of in vivo like human liver models.

A technique to isolate human hepatocytes and non-parenchymal liver cells from the same donor is described. The different liver cell types build the basis for functional liver models and tissue engineering. This new method aims to isolate liver cells in a high yield and viability.

Beside parenchymal hepatocytes, the liver consists of non-parenchymal cells (NPC) namely Kupffer cells (KC), liver endothelial cells (LEC) and hepatic ...

Isolation and 3D Collagen Sandwich Culture of Primary Mouse Hepatocytes to Study the Role of Cytoskeleton in Bile Canalicular Formation In Vitro

Hepatocytes are the central cells of the liver responsible for its metabolic function. As such, they form a uniquely polarized epithelium, in which two or more hepatocytes contribute apical membranes to form a bile canalicular network through which bile is secreted. Hepatocyte polarization is essential for correct canalicular formation and depends on interactions between the hepatocyte cytoskeleton, cell-cell contacts, and the extracellular matrix. In vitro studies of hepatocyte cytoskeleton involvement in canaliculi formation and its response to pathological situations are handicapped by the lack of cell culture, which would closely resemble the canaliculi network structure in vivo. Described here is a protocol for the isolation of mouse hepatocytes from the adult mouse liver using a modified collagenase perfusion technique. Also described is the production of culture in a 3D collagen sandwich setting, which is used for immunolabeling of cytoskeletal components to study bile canalicular formation and its response to treatments in vitro. It is shown that hepatocyte 3D collagen sandwich cultures respond to treatments with toxins (ethanol) or actin cytoskeleton altering drugs (e.g., blebbistatin) and serve as a valuable tool for in vitro studies of bile canaliculi formation and function.

Presented here is a protocol for the isolation of mouse hepatocytes from adult mouse livers using a modified collagenase perfusion technique. Also described is the long-term culture of hepatocytes in a 3D collagen sandwich setting as well as immunolabeling of the cytoskeletal components to study bile canalicular formation and its response to treatment.

Hepatocytes are the central cells of the liver responsible for its metabolic function. As such, they form a uniquely polarized epithelium, in which two or ...

An Antegrade Perfusion Method for Cardiomyocyte Isolation from Mice

In basic research using mouse heart, isolating viable individual cardiomyocytes is a crucial technical step to overcome. Traditionally, isolating cardiomyocytes from rabbits, guinea pigs or rats has been performed via retrograde perfusion of the heart with enzymes using a Langendorff apparatus. However, a high degree of skill is required when this method is used with a small mouse heart. An antegrade perfusion method that does not use a Langendorff apparatus was recently reported for the isolation of mouse cardiomyocytes. We herein report a complete protocol for the improved antegrade perfusion of the excised heart to isolate individual heart cells from adult mice (8 - 108 weeks old). Antegrade perfusion is performed by injecting perfusate near the apex of the left ventricle of the excised heart, the aorta of which was clamped, using an infusion pump. All procedures are carried out on a pre-warmed heater mat under a microscope, which allows for the injection and perfusion processes to be monitored. The results suggest that ventricular and atrial myocytes, and fibroblasts can be well isolated from a single adult mouse simultaneously.

We developed a simple method for isolating high quality individual mouse heart cells by the antegrade perfusion technique. This method is Langendorff-free and useful for isolating ventricular and atrial myocytes or interstitial cells, such as cardiac fibroblasts or progenitors.