APPLICATION OF HEPATOCYTE SANDWICH PERFUSION CULTURE IN DRUG TESTING PLATFORM AND IN BIO-ARTIFICIAL LIVER ASSIST DEVICE

Abstract

Primary hepatocytes are of great interests and are widely applied in various applications including drug testing and bio-artificial liver assist device (BLAD). However, the major obstacle encountered in the application of primary hepatocytes is the loss of liver-specific functions as well as cell polarity after isolation procedure. Hepatocyte collagen sandwich mimics the in vivo liver architecture and provides an optimal in vitro environment for cells to re-establish polarity. The perfusion culture can further enhance cell functions since the continuous flow provides hepatocytes with nutrients and removes wastes and metabolites effectively from cellular local environment. This thesis has documented the implementation of hepatocyte sandwich perfusion culture in the application of drug testing and BLAD using specific bioreactor design and well-dertermined perfusion conditions.