Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) can protect hepatocytes from apoptosis induced by a variety
of stimuli including anti-Fas antibody. However, in vivo the Fas receptor is activated by its
natural ligand, Fas-L, whereas anti-Fas antibodies are not a physiologic stimulus. We
therefore have assessed the anti-apoptotic effects of UDCA and other bile acids in a novel
coculture model where apoptosis is induced in murine hepatocytes by membrane-bound
Fas-L expressing fibroblasts. Primary hepatocytes were cultured overnight on collagen …