Cryopreserved Minipig Hepatocytes

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. 

Hepatocytes are the most prominent cells within the liver. Hepatocytes eliminate toxic substances from the blood. In this biotransformation process transporter proteins (influx and efflux transporter), phase I reactions (cytochrome P450 proteins), phase II reactions (mainly glucuronidation and sulfatation) play a central role. 

Cryopreserved primary hepatocytes are perfectly suited for in vitro metabolism and toxicity / detoxification studies prior to preclinical or clinical tests.

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

Göttingen Minipigs are obtained from Ellegaard Minipigs, Dalmose, Denmark.

Minipig hepatocytes are isolated from livers obtained from male or female Minipigs and are cryopreserved directly after isolation. Donor demographics the health status of the animals are available for each animal. Each individual single donors is comprehensively tested for viability, plateability, use in suspension cultures and Cytochrome P450/Phase I activities.

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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Primary Göttingen Minipig hepatocytes for biomedical research and pharmaceutical development

Minipig hepatocytes information