Primary culture of mucosal epithelial cells of the gallbladder from rabbits in collagen gel matrix

Abstract

Primary culture or mucosal epithelial cells of rabbit gallbladder was attempted in collagen gel matrix and their morphological features were examined for up to six weeks. Singly isolated epithelial cell and epithelial cell clots began to proliferate and various sized cysts were formed within them. These cysts were lined by cuboidal-columnar epithelia and mucus was secreted into the cystic cavities. Mucus was also demonstrated within cytoplasmic vacuoles. Transmission electron microscopy showed good preservation of the original gallbladder epithelia; cultured epithelia showed well formed microvilli facing cyst, desmosomes, tight junction and interdigitation. In their cytoplasm there were small-sized mitochondria, numerous intermediate filaments, well developed Golgi's apparatus and mucus droplets. Cytokeratin was demonstrated by immunofluorescence method. This culture method seems valuable for the in vitro study of gallbladder epithelia.