Absence of a liver-specific membrane protein in a strain of chang cells.

A strain of Chang cells. derived from a human liver line, was examined for the presence of a liver-specific membrane protein (LSP). as described by Meyer zum Buschenfelde. Indirect immunofluorescence and antisera to human. rat, and rabbit LSP were used to demonstrate that LSP was present on isolated human, rat. and rabbit hepatocytes but not on the Chang cells. The results indicate that these Chang cells do not possess the LSP. The use of Chang cells in the studies of liver immunopathology may not reflect a valid correlation with organ-specific events relevant to the LSP.