Immortalization of liver cells: experimental studies and application

Hepatocyte is the core raw materials of bioartificial liver support system, primary hepatocyte is lim-ited to application because of short survival and difficult cul-ture in vitro. Porcine hepatocyte which has been used re-cently exist the risks of endogenous retrovirus transmission.With the development of molecular biology, it has been pos-sible that hepatocyte is immortalized recently. Immortalized hepatocytes have greatly significant to drug toxicology, bio-artificial liver support system and tissue engineering of liver.Therefore, we will review the prospects for research and ap-plication of immortalized hepatocytes. Key words: Liver cells; Immortalization; Studies and application