Paper is a compatible bed for rat hepatocytes

To develop an effective hybrid bioartificial liver (BAL) device, the material of the scaffold is very important to support hepatocytes that have both growth ability and hepatic differentiated functions. In this study we used paper (Kimwipe, Kimberly-Clark Corp., Roswell, GA, U.S.A.) as a scaffold. Primary hepatocytes isolated from a normal adult rat liver could proliferate on the paper. The secretion of albumin into culture medium by the cells on the paper increased with time in culture and, compared to the cells on dishes, the amount of 48 h albumin secretion at Day 10 was two times larger. Perpendicular sections of hepatocytes on the paper revealed that the cells fell into cavities made by intersecting fibers, piled up, and formed three to four layers. The piled-up cells changed their shape from flat to cuboidal and enlarged their cytoplasm, which was rich in organelles such as mitochondria and peroxisomes with a nucleoid. In addition, they formed bile canalicular structures between the cells. Their morphological appearance was similar to in vivo hepatocytes. Paper (Kimwipe) may be a good candidate as a scaffold to make a BAL device.