In vitro culture of tumour-derived hepatocytes in decellularised whole-liver biological scaffolds

To explore the feasibility of preparing transplantable recellularised liver grafts by preparing a decellularised whole-liver scaffold, decellularisation and recellularisation of a liver scaffold using a chemical detergent were performed on the liver cancer cell lines HepG2 and C3A.

D-Hanks' solution containing sodium EDTA, gradient sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS, 1/0.5/0.1%) and Triton X-100 were infused via the portal vein to prepare the decellularised scaffold. HepG2 and C3A cells were seeded onto the scaffold, and a circulation perfusion culture was carried out. The efficiency of the engraftment and the function of the cells in the scaffold were evaluated.

The decellularisation method used completely removed the intrahepatic cellular components while only components with low immunogenicity were retained, such as collagen and fibronectin. Meanwhile, the vascular structure was completely retained, which provided a structural basis for circulation bypass. The engraftment efficiencies of the HepG2 and C3A cells were 86 ± 5 and 88 ± 5%, respectively, and were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05, n = 10). The cells grew well on the scaffold, and the albumin synthesis and urea secretion functions were superior to those obtained after a traditional two-dimensional culture.

The preparation of a liver scaffold using a chemical detergent technique has good reproducibility, and the scaffold is suitable for the growth of liver tumour cell lines.