Rat Hepatic Stellate Cells (RHSC)

Overview

Rat Hepatic Stellate Cells (RHSC) is a cell model used for research applications where physiologically relevant identity and donor background support interpretation of experimental readouts. Rat NPC derived from Liver (Hepatic Stellate) within the Digestive system.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are pericytes found in the perisinusoidal space presenting myofibroblast-like or lipocyte phenotypes. They participate in the homeostasis, repair, and regeneration of liver extracellular matrix, and control retinol metabolism, storage, and release. Following liver injury, HSC proliferate, transform into myofibroblast-like cells, and produce type I collagen in the fibrotic liver. HSC have been implicated as a regulator of hepatic microcirculation via cell contraction in the pathogenesis of intrahepatic portal hypertension [1]. HSC also possess voltage-activated calcium current, express the low affinity nerve growth factor receptor p75, and undergo apoptosis in response to nerve growth factor stimulation [2, 3]. These insights into the molecular regulation of HSC activation will help lead to new therapeutic approaches in treatment of hepatic fibrosis by reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic liver injury. iXCells Biotechnologies provides high quality Rat Hepatic Stellate Cells (RHSC), which are isolated from young DS rat liver and cryopreserved at P2, with >0.5 million cells in each vial. RHSC express desmin and α-actin. They are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi and can further expand for 5 population doublings in Stellate Cell Growth Medium (Cat# MD-0014) under the condition suggested by iXCells Biotechnologies.

Key elements and design rationale

• Cell identity: NPC (Primary Cells)
• Source context: Liver; Hepatic Stellate; Digestive
• Biosafety level: BSL-1 (follow your institution’s biosafety program and local regulations)

Product-specific elements (such as tissue source, donor background, and cell classification) help frame how results should be interpreted across assays and experimental conditions.

Biological background

Cells originating from the Digestive system are commonly studied to understand tissue-specific physiology, signaling, and responses to perturbations in controlled in vitro settings.

Across primary and specialty cell models, experimental outcomes can be influenced by donor heterogeneity, passage history, confluence, and media composition. For interpretation, it is common to validate key markers or functional phenotypes in the user’s assay context and to document culture variables consistently.

Research relevance and current trends

• Increasing use of primary and specialty cells to improve translational relevance for target biology and phenotypic screening.
• Adoption of 3D culture formats and co-culture systems to better capture tissue microenvironments and cell–cell interactions.
• Integration of functional readouts with single-cell and multi-omics profiling to connect phenotype with molecular state.

Common research applications

• Profile identity markers by flow cytometry or immunostaining in cultured cells
• Quantify functional responses to defined stimuli relevant to the model system
• Compare baseline phenotype across donors/conditions using gene expression profiling
• Model inflammatory or metabolic stress responses relevant to gastrointestinal tissues
• Screen compounds or genetic perturbations for phenotype modulation using viability or imaging endpoints

Interpretation typically focuses on how a perturbation (e.g., cytokine exposure, metabolic stress, genetic manipulation, or compound treatment) shifts marker profiles or functional readouts relative to an appropriate control matched for donor and culture variables.

Notes for experimental interpretation

• Donor-to-donor heterogeneity can influence baseline phenotype and treatment response; include biological replicates when feasible.
• Passage number, confluence, and media composition can shift gene expression and functional readouts; track and report these variables consistently.
• Contamination control (including routine mycoplasma monitoring) supports reproducibility in downstream assays.
• Use appropriate negative/positive controls for the readout (e.g., unstimulated controls, pathway agonists/antagonists) to contextualize observed changes.

SKU:BHC18500111

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