Interaction of Human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human hepatocytes celline on Gelatin-VEGF Microspheres and PHBV-HGF Microspheres in co-culture

Abstract

This research focused on the fabrication of HGF encapsulated PHBV microspheres and VEGF encapsulated gelatin microspheres to ensure controlled release of growth factors as the microspheres degrade during cell culture. Blank microspheres and 2D cell cultures were used as controls. Characterization of the microspheres was done by SEM, in-vitro degradation study and in-vitro release of the encapsulated growth factors. Direct random co-culture and co-culture through semi-permeable membranes of HUVEC cells on Gelatin-VEGF microspheres and Hep3B cells on PHBV-HGF microspheres was done. Cells grown by direct random co-culture and co-culture through the membranes exhibited higher viability and high P-450 cythocrome activity throughout the experiment as opposed to the controls with the co-culture through membranes showing the highest activity. To conclude, co-culture of Hep3B and HUVEC cells on growth factor encapsulated microspheres through semi-permeable membranes showed the most desirable results as it most closely mimics the in vivo liver environment.