Immobilized E-cadherin model can enhance cell attachment and differentiation of primary hepatocytes but not proliferation

E-Cadherin is an intercellular adhesion molecule that regulates cell functions such as differentiation and proliferation of cells. To clarify the potential of E-cadherin-mediated adhesion to induce differentiation, we constructed an adsorbable recombinant E-cadherin molecule by fusing with an immunoglobulin G (IgG) Fc region (E-cad-Fc). Hepatocytes could adhere to the fusion protein-coated surface by a homophilic interaction of E-cadherins and showed differentiated phenotypes such as low DNA synthesizing activity and maintenance of tryptophan oxygenase expression, similar to those of spheroid-formed hepatocytes that are known as a highly differentiated tissue-like cell aggregation. These results suggest that E-cadherin is a key molecule for maintaining differentiation of primary hepatocytes.