Collagen synthesis by mesenchymal cells isolated from normal and acutely-damaged mouse liver.

Abstract

Viable mesenchymal cells were isolated from pronase digests of mouse liver. The majority of these cells have the ultrastructural features of macrophages, while the remainder probably include cells of the perisinusoidal type. Both protocollagen proline hydroxylase and the substrate for the enzyme have been demonstrated in these cell preparations. The substrate is increased in cells derived from animals with acute carbon tetrachloride liver injury.