title: In vitro liver model using microfabricated scaffolds in a modular bioreactor.
abstract: Hepatocyte function on 3-D microfabricated polymer scaffolds realised with the pressure-activated microsyringe was tested under static and dynamic conditions. The dynamic cell culture was obtained using the multicompartment modular bioreactor system. Hepatocyte cell density, glucose consumption, and albumin secretion rate were measured daily over a week. Cells seeded on scaffolds showed an increase in cell density compared with monolayer controls. Moreover, in dynamic culture, cell metabolic function increased three times in comparison with static monolayer cultures. These results suggest that cell density and cell-cell interactions are mediated by the architecture of the substrate, while the endogenous biochemical functions are regulated by a sustainable supply of nutrients and interstitial-like flow. Thus, a combination of 3-D scaffolds and dynamic flow conditions are both important for the development of a hepatic tissue model for applications in drug testing and regenerative medicine.
authors.affiliation: Interdepartmental Research Centre E. Piaggio, University of Pisa, via Diotisalvi 2, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Bruna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vinci
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cavallone
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vozzi
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mazzei
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Domenici
authors.forename: Maurizia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brunetto
authors.forename: Arti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahluwalia
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000378:metabolism; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D019149:Bioreactors; D002452:Cell Count; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014508:Urea / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D014508:Urea; D005947:Glucose