Dissociation of Adult Mouse Liver by Sodium Tetraphenylboron, A Potassium Gomplexing Agent.

Abstract

1. Sodium tetraphenylboron (TPB), a specific agent for complexing K+ has been found to dissociate adult mouse liver in vitro into a suspension of single cells. 2. Evidence is presented that this is the result of the removal of K+, which is the major cation involved in aggregation of cells in this tissue. 3. A coordination mechanism for aggregation is proposed in which the negatively charged surfaces in cell-cell aggregates or in cell-matrix-cell aggregates are neutralized by monovalent cations. 4. Two variables of coordination mechanisms, i.e., cation coordinated and the coordination number are used in a model advanced to explain ordered movement and aggregation of cells in tissues.