The Use of the Rat Hepatoma Cell Line MH₁C₁ to Investigate the Stimulus-Secretion Response of Hepatic Acute Phase Proteins

Summary

The rat hepatoma cell line MH₁C₁ has been characterized to show a stimulated secretion of C-reactive protein in response to both leukocyte supernatant and a purified human interleukin-1 preparation. The time-dependency and dose-response relationship of CRP secretion were comparable to and somewhat more sensitive than the effects of leukocyte supernatant and purified human interleukin-1 on the proliferative rate of murine thymocytes; the proliferative rate of the hepatoma cell line MH₁C₁ was unchanged under these conditions. Agents which affect the thymocyte bioassay response to interleukin-1 namely interleukin-2, lipopolysaccharide, concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin showed no effect on the C-reactive protein release of the MH₁C₁ cell line. These data strongly support the suitability of this cell line for the in vitro study of the hepatic acute phase stimulus-secretion response.

Key-Words

Interleukin-1 - C-Reactive Protein - Acute Phase Response