Formation of multilayer aggregates of hepatocytes cultured on ligand-coated surfaces

Hepatocytes grown on various ligand (hepatocyte growth factor, HGF; low-density lipoprotein, LDL; transferrin; poly-N-p-vinylbenzyl-d-lactonamide, PVLA)-coated surfaces tended to keep round cell shapes and form multilayer aggregates in the presence of hepatocyte growth factor. Inhibitors of proliferating signal transduction did not affect mitogen-induced hepatocyte aggregation, whereas colchicine, an antimicrotubular drug, completely inhibited the hepatocyte aggregation. Meanwhile, significant ligand loss was found on hepatocytes moving over surfaces and thus receptor-mediated endocytosis might be directly involved in the hepatocyte aggregation on ligand-coated surfaces.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]