High-Cell-Density Suspension Perfusion Culture of Porcine Hepatocyte Spheroids for a Bioartificial Liver

Abstract

A bioartificial liver system (BAL) is expected to become an effective treatment for patients with acute liver failure or for patients waiting for liver transplantation. Four groups have already performed actual human clinical trials. However, except for the trial by Rozga et al. [1], the life-saving effect was not so significant. Thus, along with increase in immobilized cell numbers (up to 2X10¹⁰ cells, 10% of whole human liver cells), enhancement in cellular functional capacity is still required. The present requirement from the clinical sides of the BAL system is very simple, that is, it should function only up to 6 hour’s plasma perfusion and should be disposable in order to avoid acute immuno-rejection reaction [1]. Therefore, maximal metabolic performance even in the short term is a crucial subject. In this study, we have developed a prototype of a new BAL module immobilizing 2.5% of human liver cells, based on the suspension perfusion culture of porcine hepatocyte spheroids.