Isolation,cultivation and identification of the BALB/c mice hepatic stellate cells

Objective To establish a practical scheme for the isolation and purification of the hepatic stellate cells(HSCs) from BALB/c mice.Methods The HSCs were isolated from the liver of the BALB/c mice by Type IV collagenase(1 mg/ml) digestion and continuous density gradient centrifugation by 60% Percoll Solution.The viability of the isolated cells was determined by trypan blue staining assay.The HSCs were identified by immunocytochemical staining of Desmin.The morphologic changes of the HSCs were observed undera microscope.Results The average number of the HSCs from a single mouse liver was(5.5±0.4)×105, with purity and viability both over 90%.Conclusions This study established a practical scheme for the isolation and purification of the HSCs from the BALB/c mice.