Fabrication of perfusable 3D hepatic lobule-like constructs through assembly of multiple cell type laden hydrogel microstructures

Biofabrication. 2018 Dec 27;11(1):015016. doi: 10.1088/1758-5090/aaf3c9.

Abstract

The in vitro reproduction of three-dimensional (3D) cellular constructs to physiologically mimic human liver is highly desired for drug screening and clinical research. However, the fabrication of a liver-mimetic 3D model using traditional bottom-up technologies is challenging owing to the complex architecture and specific functions of real liver tissue. This work proposes a versatile strategy for spatially assembling gear-like microstructures encapsulating multiple cell types, and reorganizing them into 3D lobule-like micro-architecture with physiological relevance to native liver tissue. Gear-like microstructures were fabricated by photo-crosslinking poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel mixed with hepatocytes and fibroblasts, in a digital micromirror device (DMD)-based microfluidic channel. The microstructures were assembled through coordinated micromanipulation based on local fluid force, and spatially self-aligned through hydrophilic-hydrophobic interactions into a 3D integrated construct with lobule-like morphology and a perfusable central lumen. The resulting 3D lobule-like constructs allowed long-term co-culture of hepatocytes and fibroblasts with high cell viability. The co-cultured constructs enhanced hepatocyte proliferation and spreading, as well as liver functions including a 50% increase in albumin secretion and urea synthesis. For hepatotoxicity assessment, the 3D lobule-like construct enabled drug perfusion through its built-in lumen for simulation of drug diffusion in the liver, which could improve the response sensitivity and efficiency to hepatotoxic drug. These results demonstrated that this method provides a valuable 3D co-culture model with perfusable lobule-like architecture and physiological functions, which has potential applications in drug discovery and tissue engineering applications.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Culture Techniques / instrumentation
  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Survival
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Fibroblasts / cytology*
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Hepatocytes / cytology*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels / chemistry*
  • Liver / cytology*
  • Mice
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Tissue Engineering / instrumentation
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Hydrogels
  • poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate
  • Polyethylene Glycols