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Search Thermo Fisher Scientific
We are dedicated to your success. Get back on track. View our expert recommendations for commonly encountered problem scenarios.
View the relevant questions below:
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Please see the following causes and recommendations:
Possible cause | Recommendation |
Improper thawing technique |
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Sub-optimal thawing medium | Use HTM Medium during thawing to remove cryoprotectant |
Rough handling of hepatocytes during counting |
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Improper counting technique |
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Cells left out too long | Plate cells immediately after counting |
Please see the following causes and recommendations:
Possible cause | Recommendation |
Improper thawing technique |
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Sub-optimal thawing medium | Use HTM Medium during thawing to remove cryoprotectant |
Incorrect centrifugation speed | Check thawing protocol for proper centrifugation speed and time (varies by species; human is 100 x g for 10 min at RT) |
Rough handling of hepatocytes during counting |
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Improper counting technique |
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Please see the following causes and recommendations:
Possible cause | Recommendation |
Not enough time for cells to attach |
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Poor-quality substratum | Use Gibco Collagen I-Coated Plates |
Hepatocyte lot not characterized as plateable |
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Please see our recommendations above for:
Possible cause | Recommendation |
Seeding density too low | Check lot-specific characterization specification sheet for appropriate seeding density (human cells) Observe cells under microscope for appropriate seeding prior to incubation |
Insufficient dispersion of hepatocytes during plating | Disperse cells evenly by moving plate slowly in a figure-eight and back and forth pattern in incubator |
Insufficient plating volume used for well format | Refer to literature or technical support for suggested plating volumes |
Low attachment efficiency | Please see our recommendations above for: “I’m getting low attachment efficiency with my hepatocytes. What should I do?” |
Some animal lots are not >80% confluent | Check lot-specific characterization specification sheet for appropriate seeding density. Note: Some animal species create chains or islands of cells rather than being 100% confluent. |
Please see the following causes and recommendations:
Possible cause | Recommendation |
Seeding density too high |
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Insufficient dispersion of hepatocytes during plating |
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Improper plating volume used for well format | Refer to literature or technical support for suggested plating volumes |
Please see the following causes and recommendations:
Possible cause | Recommendation |
Hepatocyte lot not characterized as plateable | Check lot specifications to ensure it is qualified for plating |
Sub-optimal culture medium |
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Cells were cultured for too long | In general, plateable cryopreserved hepatocytes should not be cultured for more than five days |
Please see the following causes and recommendations:
Possible cause | Recommendation |
Hepatocyte lot not transporter-qualified | Check lot specifications to ensure it is transporter-qualified |
Sub-optimal culture medium |
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Not enough time for bile canaliculi to form | In general, at least 4–5 days in culture is required for bile canalicular network formation |
First of all, we recommend comparing results to those reported on our lot-specific characterization specification sheet (human cells) and also referring to our enzyme induction protocol. Here are other potential causes and recommendations:
Possible Cause | Recommendation |
Sub-optimal monolayer confluency
| Please see our recommendations above for ‘I have a sub-optimal monolayer confluency for my hepatocytes. What should I do?’ |
Poor monolayer integrity
| Please see our recommendations below for ‘With my hepatocytes, I’m seeing rounding up of the cells, cellular debris, and/or holes in the monolayer, indicating dying cells. What should I do?’ |
Inappropriate positive control | Check positive control to ensure suitability |
Incorrect concentration of positive control | Use the correct concentration of positive control |
This could be due to the toxicity of the test compound. Here are other potential causes and recommendations:
Possible cause | Recommendation |
Sub-optimal culture medium |
|
Hepatocyte lot not characterized as plateable | Check lot specifications to ensure it is qualified for plating |
Cells were cultured for too long | In general, plateable cryopreserved hepatocytes should not be cultured for more than five days |
Here are possible reasons:
Here are possible reasons:
Here are possible causes and suggestions:
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