title: Microscale culture of human liver cells for drug development.
abstract: Tissue function depends on hierarchical structures extending from single cells ( approximately 10 microm) to functional subunits (100 microm-1 mm) that coordinate organ functions. Conventional cell culture disperses tissues into single cells while neglecting higher-order processes. The application of semiconductor-driven microtechnology in the biomedical arena now allows fabrication of microscale tissue subunits that may be functionally improved and have the advantages of miniaturization. Here we present a miniaturized, multiwell culture system for human liver cells with optimized microscale architecture that maintains phenotypic functions for several weeks. The need for such models is underscored by the high rate of pre-launch and post-market attrition of pharmaceuticals due to liver toxicity. We demonstrate utility through assessment of gene expression profiles, phase I/II metabolism, canalicular transport, secretion of liver-specific products and susceptibility to hepatotoxins. The combination of microtechnology and tissue engineering may enable development of integrated tissue models in the so-called 'human on a chip'.
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, E19-502D, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
authors.forename: Salman R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Khetani
authors.forename: Sangeeta N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Bhatia
mesh_terms: D001681:Biological Assay / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015195:Drug Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D017022:Flow Injection Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008904:Miniaturization