Comparison of three solid phase supports for promoting three-dimensional growth and function of human liver cell...

An extracorporeal liver support system will require that liver cells maintain their normal differentiated function. This is more likely to be achieved utilizing a three-dimensional culture configuration rather than a simple monolayer culture. We present data on a human liver cell line attached and maintained on different three-dimensional supports, porous glass (Siran), silicon (Immobasil), and calcium-alginate beads. Albumin, fibrinogen, prothrombin, alpha1-acid glycoprotein and alpha1-antitrypsin secretions were measured. Proliferation was slower on each of the three-dimensional supports than on the monolayer culture. The protein secretion of all 5 proteins was highest in cells encapsulated in alginate; silicon beads supported greater protein secretion than glass. Cells on silicon or within alginate were rounded; those on glass grew in 2 configurations as flattened monolayers and as rounded colonies. Cells in alginate secreted as much protein as the whole liver (e.g., albumin, 14.88 g/10(12) cells/day compared to the whole liver, approximately 12 g/day). Three-dimensional culture of a human liver cell line leads to both proliferation and a high synthetic capacity, an important feature of cells suitable for an extracorporeal liver support system.