Extracellular Matrix Regulates and L-Ascorbic Acid 2-Phosphate Further Modulates Morphology, Proliferation, and Collagen Synthesis of Perisinusoidal Stellate Cells

Abstract

Morphology, proliferation, and collagen synthesis of perisinusoidal stellate cells (fat-storing cells, lipocytes, Ito cells) varied according to the nature of the substratum. On a basement membrane gel, the stellate cells formed a mesh-like structure and proliferated slowly. On non-coated polystyrene and type I collagen-coated culture dishes, the cells spread well and extended cellular processes. The cell proliferation and collagen synthesis were more prominent on culture dishes coated with type I collagen than on polystyrene dishes. On each extracellular substrate, proliferation and collagen synthesis were stimulated by a long-acting vitamin C derivative, L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate. These results indicate that morphology, proliferation, and collagen metabolism of the stellate cells are regulated by extracellular matrix and modulated further by L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate.