A modified method for the isolation and culture of rat hepatic stellate cells

Objective To introduce a high efficient, inexpensive, and stable method for the isolation and culture of rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) for the purpose of providing cell model for the studies of the mechanisms of hepatic fibrosis at the cell level. Methods Rat HSCs were isolated by liver perfusion in situ with pronase and collagenase followed by density gradient centrifugation with Nycodenz. Results The harvest rate of hepatic stellate cells was 3.95×10 7 cells per liver with purity of more than 97% and viability of more than 98%. Conclusion This method is an ideal one for the isolation and culture of rat HSCs.