Microfluidic confinement enhances phenotype and function of hepatocyte spheroids.

Microfluidic confinement enhances phenotype and function of hepatocyte spheroids. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2020 Jul 22;: Authors: Choi JH, Loarca L, De Hoyos-Vega JM, Dadgar N, Loutherback K, Shah VH, Stybayeva G, Revzin A Abstract A number of cell culture approaches have been described for maintenance of primary hepatocytes. Forming hepatocytes into 3D spheroids is one well accepted method for extending epithelial phenotype of these cells. Our lab has previously observed enhanced function of 2D (monolayer) hepatocyte cultures in microfluidic devices due to increased production of several hepato-inductive growth factors, including hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). In the present study we wanted to test a hypothesis that placing hepatocytes spheroids (3D) into microfluidic devices will also result in enhanced phenotype and function. To test this hypothesis, we fabricated devices with small and large volumes. Both types of devices included a microstructured floor containing arrays of pyramidal wells to promote assembly of single hepatocytes into spheroids with individual diameter of ~100 µm. The hepatocyte spheroids were found to be more functional in low volume compared to large volume devices. Importantly, high functionality of spheroid cultures correlated with elevated levels of HGF secretion. While decay of hepatic function (albumin secretion) was observed over the course three weeks, this behavior could be abrogated by inhibiting...
Source: Am J Physiol Cell Ph... - Category: Cytology Authors: Tags: Am J Physiol Cell Physiol Source Type: research