Isolation and culture of myofibroblasts from rat liver.

Successful isolation and culture of myofibroblasts from rat liver is described for the first time. After collagenase digestion of livers, obtained from rats fed regular laboratory chow diet as well as control and vitamin A-supplemented liquid diets, cells were separated on a Percoll density gradient. Cells characterized as myofibroblasts by electron microscopy were cultured in a Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. Characteristic features of myofibroblasts (abundant myofibrils) with dense bodies, indented nucleus, basal lamina-like structure, capacity to synthesize types I, III, and IV collagens and laminin were demonstrated in both primary and secondary cultures.