Abstract: Two cell lines, PICM-19H and PICM-19B, were derived from the bipotent ARS-PICM-19 pig liver stem cell line. The unipotent porcine stem cell line PICM-19H differentiates exclusively into hepatocytes and can be induced to express CYP450 enzymes. The growth rate and cell density in culture, morphological features, and hepatocyte detoxification functions, i.e., inducible CYP450 activity, ammonia clearance, and urea production of the PICM-19H cells were evaluated for their application in artificial liver devices. PICM-19H cells contain numerous mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, vesicular bodies and occasional lipid vacuoles and display inducible CYP450 activity, clear ammonia, and produce urea in a glutamine-free medium. The data indicate that both cell lines, either together or alone, may be useful as the cellular substrate for an artificial liver device. The results demonstrate the potential for the use of PICM-19H cells in drug biotransformation and toxicity testing.

Abstract: Two cell lines, PICM-19H and PICM-19B, were derived from the bipotent ARS-PICM-19 pig liver stem cell line. The unipotent porcine stem cell line PICM-19H differentiates exclusively into hepatocytes and can be induced to express CYP450 enzymes. The growth rate and cell density in culture, morphological features, and hepatocyte detoxification functions, i.e., inducible CYP450 activity, ammonia clearance, and urea production of the PICM-19H cells were evaluated for their application in artificial liver devices. PICM-19H cells contain numerous mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, vesicular bodies and occasional lipid vacuoles and display inducible CYP450 activity, clear ammonia, and produce urea in a glutamine-free medium. The data indicate that both cell lines, either together or alone, may be useful as the cellular substrate for an artificial liver device. The results demonstrate the potential for the use of PICM-19H cells in drug biotransformation and toxicity testing.

Abstract: Two cell lines, PICM-19H and PICM-19B, were derived from the bipotent ARS-PICM-19 pig liver stem cell line and assessed for their potential application in artificial liver devices. The study included assessments of growth rate and cell density in culture, morphological features, and hepatocyte detoxification functions, i.e., inducible CYP450 activity, ammonia clearance, and urea production. The PICM-19H cells contain numerous mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, vesicular bodies and occasional lipid vacuoles. PICM-19H cells display inducible CYP450 activity, clear ammonia, and produce urea in a glutamine-free medium. Ultrastructural analysis of the PICM-19B monolayers show that the roughly cuboidal cells display basal-apical polarization and are joined by tight junction-like complexes. Other ultrastructure features are similar to those of PICM-19H cells except that they possess numerous cell bodies resembling mucus vacuoles.

Abstract: Continuous cultures of pluripotent parenchymal hepatocytes were derived from the epiblasts of pig blastocysts. The cultures are feeder-dependent and grow slowly with doubling times of 3 to 4 days. They differentiate into large secretory duct-like structures or form small canaliculi. In combination with feeder cells and, optionally, adult pig hepatocytes and macrophages, the cells are useful in an artificial liver device which may be utilized as temporary liver support for the mitigation of the pathological effects of liver failure.