Engineered liver-like tissue on a capillarized matrix for applied research

Liver tissue that is functional and viable for several weeks in vitro represents an auspicious test system for basic and applied research. In this study, a coculture system for hepatocytes (HCs) and microvascular endothelial cells (mECs) was generated applying tissue-engineering techniques, establishing the basis for a new bioartificial liver in vitro model. Porcine mECs were seeded on a decellularized porcine jejunal segment with preserved vascular structures. Porcine HCs were seeded onto this vascularized scaffold, and the resulting coculture was maintained for 3 weeks in vitro. Tissue morphology and differentiation was monitored using histology and immunohistochemistry. Tissue metabolism was monitored using daily assessment of urea and lactate production. HC monolayer cultures served as controls. The 2-stage seeding procedure resulted in a 3-dimensional coculture system harboring HC cell clusters in multiple cell layers lining the generated mEC-seeded capillary structures. It was viable for 3 weeks, and HCs maintained their morphology and differentiation. Biochemical testing revealed stable metabolic activity of the tissue culture. In contrast, HCs cultured in monolayer showed morphological dedifferentiation and an unfavorable metabolic state. Our mEC-HC coculture represents a new approach toward a functional bioartificial liver-like tissue applicable as a test system for basic and applied research.