To provide the in vitro model for liver functions, a novel culture system called sandwich culture of primary hepatocyte has been established by Dunn, et al8). We have investigated this culture system to develop the bioartificial liver. A series
of
experiments was conducted to improve the mechanical strength of collagen gel which has been used previously. Mixture of alginate and collagen (artificial extracellular matrix, AEM) proved to replace the collagen gel in this novel culture svstem.
Mechanical strength of AEM was much higher than collagen gel, and AEM maintained the secretion of albumin and urea of primary hepatocytes for 6 weeks. Albumin secretion rate and urea production rate of hepatocytes in AEM were about 3μg/hr and
5μg/hr,
respectively, which are comparable to those in collagen sandwich culture. The polygonal structure of hepatocytes in AEM was observed similar to that in collagen sandwich. Also, AEM was applied to the microcarrier culture of isolated hepatocyte,
and
it
was feasible that AEM may be used to encapsulate the hepatocyte microcarrier culture. Results show AEM-sandwiched microcarrier may be an alternative way to high density culture of hepatocytes in sandwich culture configuration.
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