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In vitro liver model using microfabricated scaffolds in a modular bioreactor
Author(s) -
Vinci Bruna,
Cavallone Daniela,
Vozzi Giovanni,
Mazzei Daniele,
Domenici Claudio,
Brunetto Maurizia,
Ahluwalia Arti
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
biotechnology journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.144
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1860-7314
pISSN - 1860-6768
DOI - 10.1002/biot.200900074
Subject(s) - bioreactor , hepatocyte , monolayer , chemistry , substrate (aquarium) , in vitro , albumin , cell growth , cell , biomedical engineering , modular design , microbiology and biotechnology , biophysics , biochemistry , biology , computer science , medicine , ecology , organic chemistry , operating system
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.