Protective effects of ACLF sera on metabolic functions and proliferation of hepatocytes co-cultured with bone marrow MSCs in vitro

Figure 5 Increased proliferation after incubation with liver failure serum by co-culturing with mesenchymal stem cells. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) levels of hepatocytes cutured alone in Hep-N and Hep-F groups were too low to be detected while a significant increase was observed in the co-cultured groups irrespective of liver serum insult (P < 0.05). Statistical analysis with regard to PCNA level showed no significant difference between Co-N and Co-F groups (P > 0.05). Hep-N: Hepatocytes homo-cultured with normal serum; Co-N:Hepatocytes co-cultured with normal serum; Co-F: Liver failure serum.