Bioengineering a cryogel-derived bioartificial liver using particle image velocimetry defined fluid dynamics.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Hepatology
• Bioreactor Design

Background:

• Bioartificial Liver (BAL) devices are crucial for supporting patients with liver failure.
• Designing effective BALs requires optimizing cell colonization, biomaterial scaffolds, and fluid dynamics.
• Previous work showed RGD-containing p(HEMA)-alginate cryogels are suitable for blood perfusion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate RGD-containing p(HEMA)-alginate cryogels as BAL scaffolds.
• To characterize internal flow dynamics within cryogel scaffolds.
• To design and test a novel stacked bioreactor for enhanced liver support.

Main Methods:

• Cryogels were modified with alginate to reduce protein fouling and functionalized with RGD peptides for hepatocyte adhesion.
• Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) was used to characterize internal flow within the cryogel matrix.
• A multi-layered, stacked bioreactor was designed based on PIV results and tested in vitro and in vivo.

Main Results:

• PIV revealed a laminar flow within cryogel pores, informing bioreactor design.
• The stacked bioreactor significantly enhanced albumin and urea production compared to a column design.
• Improved cell colonization, proliferation, and in vivo safety were observed in the cryogel-based device.

Conclusions:

• Surface-engineered cryogels with optimized fluid dynamics form a promising basis for BAL devices.
• The stacked bioreactor design represents a significant advancement in BAL technology.
• This cryogel-based BAL shows potential for effective liver function support in liver failure patients.