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A Novel Bioartificial Liver With Culture of Porcine Hepatocyte Aggregates Under Simulated Microgravity
Author(s) -
Hochleitner Boris,
Hengster Paul,
Duo Li,
Bucher Herwig,
Klima Günter,
Margreiter Raimund
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
artificial organs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.684
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1525-1594
pISSN - 0160-564X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1594.2004.29014.x
Subject(s) - bioartificial liver device , hepatocyte , organoid , bioreactor , extracorporeal , biomedical engineering , artificial liver , cell culture , chemistry , liver failure , in vitro , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , biology , biochemistry , surgery , genetics , organic chemistry
An extracorporeal bioartificial liver device could provide vital support to patients suffering from acute liver failure. We designed a novel, customized bioreactor for use as a bioartificial liver (patent pending). The Innsbruck Bioartificial Liver (IBAL) contains aggregates of porcine hepatocytes grown under simulated microgravity. The culture vessel rotates around its longitudinal axis and is perfused by two independent circuits. The circuit responsible for exchange of plasma components with the patient consists of a dialysis tube winding spirally around the internal wall of the culture vessel. IBAL was evaluated in vitro. Viability tests showed sufficient viability of hepatocytes for up to 10 days. Cytologic examination of samples from the bioreactor showed liver cell aggregates. These were also examined by electron microscopy. A number of biochemical parameters were analyzed. In conclusion, cell culture is possible for at least 10 days in the IBAL system, organoid hepatocyte aggregates are formed and synthetic activity of the hepatocytes was demonstrated.