Hepatocytes make up 70-80% of the cytoplasmic mass of the liver. These cells are involved in protein synthesis, protein storage and transformation of carbohydrates, synthesis of cholesterol, bile salts and phospholipids, and detoxification, modification and excretion of exogenous and endogenous substances. The hepatocyte also initiates the formation and secretion of bile.
Albumin
- a hepatic cell-specific marker. PMID: 16543069
alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP)
- a hepatic cell-specific marker. PMID: 16543069
alpha-anti-Trypsin
- a mature hepatocyte marker. PMID: 16543069
Annexin I and Annexin II
- useful markers for detecting not only actively proliferating hepatocytes but also hepatocytes in preproliferative and postproliferative stages. PMID: 7519163
anti-liver-kidney microsome antibody
- can be considered as a marker for endoplasmic reticulum in rat hepatocytes. PMID: 3552922
C-reactive protein (CRP)
- a prototype acute phase protein which has been known to be synthesized in hepatocytes. PMID: 12637157
Hepatocyte antigen (Hep)
- Hep is a relatively specific marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PMID: 12170084, PMID: 9796718
Hepatocyte Paraffin 1 (Hep Par 1)
- specific for hepatocyte mitochondria, is considered the most specific and sensitive marker of normal and neoplastic hepatocytes and has been used in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinomas. PMID: 15272534, PMID: 14668552, PMID: 11732796, PMID: 17001880, PMID: 11404191
Leucine Aminopeptidase (LAP)
- a domain-specific marker for hepatocyte plasma membranes. PMID: 6304108, PMID: 6201493
Prospero-related homeobox 1 (Prox1)
- a stable hepatocyte marker during liver development, injury and regeneration, and is absent from "oval cells". PMID: 16770575
Rex3
- a marker for hepatocyte differentiation/dedifferentiation processes and tumor formation. PMID: 16959394
Tyrosine Aminotransferase
- terminally differentiated hepatocyte marker. PMID: 15516738
Tryptophan Oxygenase
- terminally differentiated hepatocyte marker. PMID: 15516738
WT1
- a common marker of both hepatocyte and endothelial progenitors. PMID: 15607745