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Related Experiment Videos

Optimizing the fluidized bed bioreactor as an external bioartificial liver.

Sarah Figaro1,2, Ulysse Pereira1, Hiram Rada2

  • 1UMR7338, Laboratory of Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Sorbonne University, University of Technology of Compiègne, CNRS, Compiègne - France.

The International Journal of Artificial Organs
|April 1, 2017
PubMed
Summary

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Adding inert microspheres to bioartificial liver (BAL) beads improves fluidization without harming cell function. This optimization supports large-scale production for future human clinical trials of the Suppliver device.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Hepatology
  • Biomaterials Science

Background:

  • A novel bioartificial liver (BAL) device, Suppliver, was developed using a Prismaflex™ system with fluidized bed bioreactors.
  • Alginate-encapsulated hepatocytes are used, requiring enhanced bead density for proper fluidization via added inert glass microspheres.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of inert microspheres on bead production, fluidization, mass transfer, and mechanical properties.
  • To assess the impact on hepatocyte viability and metabolic function within the bioartificial liver system.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed bead production, fluidization dynamics, and mass transfer with varying microsphere concentrations.
  • Evaluated mechanical properties, cell viability, and basic metabolic functions post-microsphere addition.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Determined optimal microsphere concentration for bead density and bioreactor performance.

    • Main Results:

    • Optimal configuration identified as 20 mg (1% v/v) microspheres per mL alginate solution with 15-20 million cells/mL.
    • Achieved a bead filling ratio of up to 60% in bioreactors.
    • Four 250-mL bioreactors provide approximately 15% of a liver's hepatocyte capacity, a viable target for extracorporeal support.

    Conclusions:

    • Increased bead density effectively maintained fluidized bed performance with diverse plasma compositions, preventing bead escape.
    • A 1% (v/v) microsphere concentration did not compromise the mechanical or biological integrity of the encapsulated cells.
    • This optimized concentration enables large-scale biomass production for the Suppliver system in human preclinical studies.