title: Roles of spheroid formation of hepatocytes in liver tissue engineering.
abstract: The liver plays an important role in a broad spectrum of physiological functions and detoxifies endogenous and exogenous substances. The liver failure is associated with a high risk of mortality because it is one of important organs in our body. Various bioartificial liver (BAL) systems have been used for clinical trials as a bridge for liver transplantations in patients with liver failure. Long term and stable liver-specific functions of hepatocytes in the development of BAL support systems should be considered. Spheroid formation of hepatocytes enhances liver-specific functions. In this review, hepatocyte spheroid formation methods such as galactose density, topology of extracellular matrix, micro-molding technique, hanging-drop culture, non-adhesive surface, positive charged surface, spinner culture, rocked technique, medium component, external forces, coculture system and polymeric nanospheres are explained for enhancing liver-specific functions.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hu-Lin
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: You-Kyoung
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ki-Hyun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Chul
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yun-Jaie
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosystem Engineering and Biomaterial Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chong-Su
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Cho
keywords: Extracellular matrix; Hepatocyte; Liver function; Spheroid; Tissue engineering