Activation of the quiescent hepatic stellate cell (HSteC) by increased proliferation, migration and synthesis of extracellular matrix may lead to fibrosis [1]. In addition to HSteC activation, another change that precedes fibrosis is capillarization of the hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HSEC).
In physiological conditions, HSEC maintain hepatic stellate cell quiescence, thereby inhibiting intrahepatic vasoconstriction and fibrosis development. When capillarized, however, hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells lose their capacity to inactivate hepatic stellate cells, thus promoting fibrogenesis and intrahepatic vasoconstriction [2].
Liver fibrogenesis and angiogenesis, therefore, are closely related, as liver fibrosis enhances angiogenesis, and in turn, liver angiogenesis aggravates liver fibrosis.
Ready-to-use 3D culture of human hepatic stellate-endothelial cell spheroids (SP3D-HSteECS) that composes human primary hepatic stellate cells and sinusoidal endothelial cells at a 1:4 ratio.
These spheroids are ready for experiments at 24 hours after thawing.
Immunostaining of the co-culture spheroids reveals the presence of vimentin-positive stellate cells and von willebrand factor (VWF)-positive sinusoidal endothelial cells.
Furthermore, the spheroids also contain the activated stellate cell population marked by the smooth muscle actin (SMA) staining.
Quality Control
SP3D-HSteECS is tested for the formation of functional and uniform 3D human hepatic stellate cell-sinusoidal endothelial cell co-culture spheroids according to the included protocol.
All components are negative for bacterial and fungal contamination.
Product Use
SP3D-HSteECS are for research use only. It is not approved for human or animal use, or application in clinical or in vitro diagnostic procedures.
Product format
Available as 24, 48, or 96-well plate
Shipping
SP-5000, 3D-5452, 0583 are shipped on dry ice. 3D-5201, and (0343 or 0353 or 0383) are shipped at room temperature.
References
[1] Yazdani S, Bansal R, Prakash J. (2017) “Drug targeting to myofibroblasts: Implications for fibrosis and cancer.” Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 121: 101-116. [2] Poisson J, Lemoinne S, Boulanger C, Durand F, Moreau R, Valla D, and Rautou P-E. (2017). “Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells: physiology and role in liver diseases.” Journal of Hepatology. 66: 212-227.