Hepatocyte function and extracellular matrix geometry: long‐term culture in a sandwich configuration

• DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.3.2.2914628
• Publication Date: 2018-01-25T09:27:30Z
• Authors: James C. Y. Dunn; Martin L. Yarmush; Hans G. Koebe; Ronald G. Tompkins
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; Liver; Albumins; Animals; Collagen; Cells, Cultured; Epithelium; Extracellular Matrix; Rats

Adult rat hepatocytes cultured in a collagen sandwich system maintained normal morphology and a physiological rate of albumin secretion for at least 42 days. Hepatocytes cultured on a single layer of collagen gel essentially ceased albumin secretion within 1 wk but could recover function with the overlay of a second layer of collagen gel. This culture configuration more closely mimics the hepatocytes' in vivo environment and provides a simple method for their long-term maintenance.