AIM: To develop a practical method for isolation, purifi cation and culture of hepatic Kupffer cells (KCs) and to observe their suppressive effects on the proliferation of alloreactive T cells. METHODS: Perfusion in situ in vivo combined with density gradient centrifugation was applied in isolation, purifi cation and culture of hepatic KC. The suppression by KCs on the T cell proliferation in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) was observed. RESULTS: This method resulted in a satisfactorily high yield of (1.1 ± 0.2) × 107 KCs per liver, (93.5/ ± 1.8/) viable cells, over 90/ purity and positive for ED-2. After the first 24 h in culture, a great number of KCs which exhibited typical characteristics were observed. Using 3H-TdR incorporation assay, non-irradiated KCs significantly suppressed allo-MLR. The KCs recovered from accepted liver allografts in groups D and E were more effective in suppressing allo-MLR. CONCLUSION: A standardized procedure for isolation of highly purified rat KCs is proposed and KCs have suppressive effects on the proliferation of alloreactive T cells, especially those derived from accepted liver allografts.
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