New progresses in the isolation of primary hepatic stellate cells

Hepatic stellate cells(HSCs), also called fat-storing cells or Ito cells, are one of inherent liver non-parenchymal cell types.They constitute<8% of the total liver cell population.They locate in the Disse space between liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatocytes, and store Vitamin A in the form of lipid drops.HSCs are the main source of extracellular matrix.Their activation is the key process in the development of liver fibrosis.The isolation of primary HSCs is the basis of studying the mechanism of liver fibrosis.It is one of the research focus on the area of liver fibrosis.The methods of primary HSCs isolation include the classic two-step enzyme perfusion, fluorescence activated cell sorting and magnetic-activated cell-sorting.This review will summarize the new progresses of primary HSCs isolation in recent years. Key words: Hepatic stellate cells; Cell separation; Two-step enzyme perfusion; Fluorescence activated cell sorting; Magnetic-activated cell-sorting