Extracellular matrix-enriched polymeric scaffolds as a substrate for hepatocyte cultures: in vitro and in vivo studies.
Biomaterials
; 26(34): 7038-45, 2005 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-15993941
ABSTRACT
Tissue engineering is a promising approach to developing hepatic tissue suitable for the functional replacement of a failing liver. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether an extracellular cell matrix obtained from fibroblasts-cultured within scaffolds of hyaluronic acid (HYAFF) could influence the proliferation rate and survival of rat hepatocytes both during long-term culture and after in vivo transplantation. Cultures were evaluated by histological and morphological analysis, a proliferation assay and metabolic activity (albumin secretion). Hepatocytes cultured in extracellular matrix-enriched scaffolds exhibited a round cellular morphology and re-established cell-cell contacts, growing into aggregates of several cells along and/or among fibers in the fabric. Hepatocytes were able to secrete albumin up to 14 days in culture. In vivo results demonstrated the biocompatibility of HYAFF-11 implanted in nude mice, in which hepatocytes maintained small well-organised aggregates until the 35th day. In conclusion, the presence of a fibroblast-secreted extracellular matrix improved the biological properties of the hyaluronan scaffold, favoring the survival and morphological integrity of hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Liver, Artificial
/
Hepatocytes
/
Tissue Engineering
/
Extracellular Matrix
/
Fibroblasts
/
Hyaluronic Acid
Type of study:
Evaluation_studies
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Biomaterials
Year:
2005
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Italy