Expression of the asialoglycoprotein receptor in cultured rat hepatocytes is modulated by cell density.

The influence of cell density on expression of the asialoglycoprotein receptor system in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes was evaluated by measuring the level of the receptor specific mRNA. When the hepatocytes are cultured at high cellular density and are not in a proliferative condition, the transcript molecules of the receptor appear increased about 50% with respect to the low plating density, indicating a modulation of asialoglycoprotein receptor expression at transcriptional level. Such control may be dependent on surface molecules involved in cell specific reassociation, since it is well known that cell contacts play a significant regulatory role in differentiated cells.