| 초록 |
We develped several kinds of biomimetic in vitro model systems for hepatic tissue engineering. Hepatocyts, the main epithelial cell type in the liver, perform most of the biochemical functions of the liver. Thus maintenance of a primary hepatocyte phenotype is crucial for investigation of in vitro drug metabolism, toxicity, and development of bioartificial liver constructs. We studied the impact of biomechanical cues such as substrate stiffness or topography alone and in combination with biochemical cues provided by bioactive heparin based hydrogel as well as co-culture system on primary hepatocyte phenotype. The simultaneous presentation of biomechanical cues along with biochemical element provided by co-cultured feeder cells resulted in optimal functionality of cultured hepatocytes. The provision of both biomechanical and biochemical signaling cues could enhance our ability to create liver surrogates in vitro and inform the development of engineered liver constructs. |
