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Updated: May 9, 2026

Human Liver Microphysiological System for Assessing Drug-Induced Liver Toxicity In Vitro
Published on: January 31, 2022
Bioactivation and toxicity of acetaminophen in a rat hepatocyte micropatterned coculture system
Okechukwu Ukairo1, Michael McVay, Stacy Krzyzewski
1Hepregen Corporation, Medford, MA, 02155, U.S.A.
Abstract:
We have recently shown that primary rat hepatocytes organized in micropatterned cocultures with murine embryonic fibroblasts (HepatoPac™) maintain high levels of liver functions for at least 4 weeks. In this study, rat HepatoPac was assessed for its utility to study chemical bioactivation and associated hepatocellular toxicity. Treatment of HepatoPac cultures with acetaminophen (APAP) over a range of concentrations (0-15 mM) was initiated at 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks followed by the assessment of morphological and functional endpoints. Consistent and reproducible concentration-dependent effects on hepatocyte structure, viability, and basic functions were observed over the 4-week period, and were exacerbated by depleting glutathione using buthionine sulfoximine or inducing CYP3A using dexamethasone, presumably due to increased reactive metabolite-induced stress and adduct formation. In conclusion, the results from this study demonstrate that rat HepatoPac represents a structurally and functionally stable hepatic model system to assess the long-term effects of bioactivated compounds.
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