Wistar Han Rat Liver Cells

The liver fulfills many vital processes in mammals. It is the central organ of energy metabolism, responsible for the maintenance of the blood sugar level and the synthesis of plasma proteins under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Cryopreserved primary liver cells are perfectly suited for in vitro metabolism and toxicity / detoxification studies prior to preclinical or clinical tests. 

Parenchymal hepatocytes are the most prominent cells within the liver. Hepatocytes eliminate toxic substances from the blood. As part of this biotransformation process, influx and efflux transporter proteins, together with phase I reactions (cytochrome P450 proteins), and phase II reactions, primarily glucuronidation and sulfation, play a central role. 

NPCs play a pivotal role during inflammatory response and fibrosis, interacting with hepatocytes and thereby complementing the liver-specific functions. Non-parenchymal liver cells, NPCs, include Kupffer cells, sinusoidal endothelial cells, and hepatic stellate cells (fat-storing cells, Ito cells). 

Rat hepatocytes and non-parenchymal liver cells are isolated and cryopreserved from livers obtained from male or female Wistar Han rats. Cryopreserved rat liver cells are used in suspension assays and plated in 2D and 3D cell cultures.

PRIMACYT is one of the pioneers in the development of advanced in vitro model systems. We are a leading company in the field of research of human and animal hepatocytes. We offer fresh and cryopreserved animal hepatocytes in suspension and plated.

PRIMACYT is approved by the European Commission as an EU Reference Laboratory for Alternatives to Animal Testing (EURL ECVAM) since 2013 and serves as member of the laboratory network responsible for the method validation.

Our colleagues are professionals and undergo continuous training in the preparation, isolation and cryopreservation of hepatocytes in general, including related co-products, methods and tools. We are a GLP certified laboratory since 2006.

In drug development, at least two in vivo repeated–dose toxicity studies of a drug candidate have to be performed in two different animal species before human studies can be initiated (https://www.fda.gov/downloads/drug /guidancecomplianceregulatoryinformation/guidances/ucm292340.pdf). In most cases these species are mouse or rat and dog or monkey.

Hepatotoxicity is a major cause for failure in drug development. For interpretation of hepatotoxicity data, it is important to understand potential interspecies differences in mechanisms that lead to drug toxicity. This includes
– drug uptake into the liver,
– biotransformation of the drug (Phase I and Phase II), and
– drug efflux from the liver

Interspecies differences in expression and activities in transport proteins and biotransformation enzymes may result in different intra– and extrahepatic concentrations of the drug.

Quantification of drug transporter protein by LC/MS has revealed significant interspecies differences in the expression of uptake and efflux transporters. On the other hand, in beagle hepatocytes expression of the two most important Organic Anion Transporters Oatp1a2 and Oatp1b4 (equivalent to human OATP1B1 and OATP1B3) was maintained at the same level as in dog liver tissue (Wang et al. 2014).

Wang L, Prasad B, Salphati L, Chu X, Gupta A, Hop C E.C.A., Evers R, and Unadkat J. D.: Interspecies Variability in Expression of Hepatobiliary Transporters across Human, Dog, Monkey, and Rat as Determined by Quantitative Proteomics, Drug Metab.
Dispos., 2015, 43:367–374

PRIMACYT provides primary Wistar Han rat hepatocytes and non-parenchymal liver cells for 2D and 3D cell cultures. They mimic hepatocellular functions. 

We offer certified pools of cryopreserved rat hepatocytes and hepatocytes from single donors. Pooled hepatocytes are obtained from several individual animal liver perfusions performed in parallel.

Each pool and the single donors are comprehensively tested for viability, use in suspension assays, plateability in 2D and 3D cultures and Cytochrome P450 activities.

For selected lots matched non-parenchymal liver cells are available as well.

This info refers to the product data below:

• Inventory: Number of vials available as of date of last update. Availability of vials may have changed since that date by interim orders.
• Viability: Denotes post thaw results using the thawing protocol for hepatocytes.
• Plateability in 2D format is tested on collagen coated 24well and 96well plates, for 3D spheroid cultures ultra-low attachment plates Biofloat™ from faCellitate are used.
• To print lot information, please select the print icon at the end of the lists below. For research use only.
• Not intended for human or animal diagnostic or therapeutic use.

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This info refers to the product data below:

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Rat hepatocytes information

Rat liver cell information