Hepatocyte function in a radial-flow bioreactor using a perfluorocarbon oxygen carrier.

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Bioreactor Technology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Hepatocytes are crucial for metabolic functions.
• Bioreactors are used to maintain cell viability and function.
• Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are synthetic oxygen carriers with potential applications in stressed cellular environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess hepatocyte metabolic activity in a radial-flow polyurethane foam matrix bioreactor compared to monocultures.
• To evaluate the impact of adding a PFC oxygen carrier to the bioreactor medium on hepatocyte function.
• To explore the potential of PFCs in bioartificial liver support systems (BALSS) for acute liver failure.

Main Methods:

• Culturing hepatocytes in a 3-D radial-flow polyurethane foam matrix bioreactor.
• Supplementing the recirculating medium with emulsified PFCs.
• Measuring metabolic functions and lidocaine clearance.
• Utilizing imaging and simulations to analyze cell behavior and bioreactor performance.

Main Results:

• 3-D hepatocyte cultures demonstrated improved metabolic functions compared to monocultures.
• No adverse effects were observed with the addition of PFCs; lidocaine clearance was significantly enhanced.
• Simulations suggested that higher cell densities would amplify the benefits of PFCs in a BALSS bioreactor.

Conclusions:

• 3-D hepatocyte cultures in a polyurethane foam matrix bioreactor show enhanced metabolic activity.
• PFCs can be safely incorporated into bioreactor media, improving oxygen tension and metabolic function, particularly lidocaine clearance.
• PFCs show promise for improving the efficacy of bioartificial liver support systems (BALSS) at clinically relevant cell densities.