Optimization of decellularized liver matrix-modified chitosan fibrous scaffold for C3A hepatocyte culture

Hepatocyte scaffold is an essential part in bioartificial liver device. We have designed a novel hepatocyte scaffold based on porcine liver extracellular matrix (ECM) and chitosan (CTS) fabrics. This CTS-ECM scaffold can improve cell adhesion and proliferation. In the present study, an orthogonal test was designed to optimize the CTS/ECM composite scaffold, in which ECM concentration, EDC concentration and EDC to NHS ratio were taken as factors, proportion of nitrogen element and hydroxyproline content as indicators. The cytocompatibility of the novel scaffold for C3A hepatocytes was analyzed in vitro. The orthogonal test demonstrated that the optimal scaffold should be based on ECM concentration of 5 mg/mL, EDC concentration of 5 mg/mL, and EDC to NHS ratio 1:1. C3A hepatocytes cultured on the optimized CTS-ECM scaffolds showed stronger proliferation and functionality than those on Cytodex3 microcarriers (p < 0.05). The CTS/ECM composite scaffold may be widely used as a promising hepatocyte culture carrier, especially in bioartificial liver support systems.