Rat Hepatocyte Spheroids Research Articles

High albumin production by multicellular spheroids of adult rat hepatocytes formed in the pores of polyurethane foam

Adult rat hepatocytes formed spherical multicellular aggregates (spheroids) when they were cultured in the pores of polyurethane foam (PUF). The diameter of the spheroids was within the range 100-200 microns. These spheroids partly attached and immobilized in the PUF pores for at least 2 weeks. The albumin production rate by the spheroids increased up to 17.0 micrograms/10(6) nuclei per day during the first 6 days and maintained at a high level for 2 weeks. In contrast, the albumin production rate by the monolayer markedly decreased after 3 days. The spheroid culture using PUF seems to be a convenient and simple method for maintaining some differentiated functions of hepatocytes and for making a bioreactor using the function of spheroids.

Formation of spheroids of adult rat hepatocytes on polylysine-coated surfaces and thier albumin production

Adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture formed spheroidal aggregates on the surfaces precoated with more than 0.01 mg-polylysine/mL. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) improved the formation and the maintenance of spheroid. The albumin secretion of the spheroids formed was maintained about 2 weeks at a high level.

Continued high albumin production by multicellular spheroids of adult rat hepatocytes formed in the presence of liver-derived proteoglycans

Adult rat hepatocytes formed floating multicellular spheroids, when they were cultured with proteoglycan fraction isolated from rat liver reticulin fibers. Cells in the spheroid showed only low growth activity. Albumin production by the spheroids increased up to 1.5 μg/μg DNA/day (180 μg/mg Protein/day) during the first 6 days and remained constant thereafter. In contrast, the albumin production by the monlayer markedly decreased after 4 days. The spheroid culture appears to be more suitable than the monolayer in studying differentiated functions of adult hepatocytes.