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Xeno-Free 3D Bioprinted Liver Model for Hepatotoxicity Assessment
Ahmed S M Ali1, Johanna Berg1, Viola Roehrs1
1Department of Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, TIB 4/3-2, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, 13355 Berlin, Germany.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|February 10, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed the first xeno-free 3D bioprinted liver model, replacing animal-derived materials. This novel model demonstrates high cell viability and accurate toxicity testing for marine biotoxins.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biotechnology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting offers alternatives to animal testing.
- Current bioprinting methods often utilize animal-derived materials, undermining animal welfare goals.
- Existing models can be chimeric, limiting their research value.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop the first entirely xeno-free 3D bioprinted liver model.
- To assess the viability and functionality of this novel bioprinted liver.
- To evaluate the model's utility in toxicity testing of marine biotoxins.
Main Methods:
- Adaptation of HuH-7 cells to a chemically defined medium (CDM).
- Cryopreservation of adapted cells in chemically defined freezing media.
- 3D bioprinting using xeno-free bioink to create liver models.
- Assessment of cell viability and comparison with Matrigel-based models.
- Toxicity testing using okadaic acid (OA) in both 2D and 3D cultures.
Main Results:
- Adapted cells showed high survival rates post-cryopreservation in CDM.
- Xeno-free bioprinted liver models exhibited high relative cell viability (97-101%) after 15 days.
- The xeno-free model required 3-fold higher okadaic acid concentrations to induce cytotoxicity compared to 2D cultures.
Conclusions:
- Successful development of a completely xeno-free 3D bioprinted liver model.
- The model demonstrates robust cell viability and functionality.
- The xeno-free liver model is applicable for accurate toxicity assessments, advancing research without animal-derived components.
