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      Multicellular Co-Culture in Three-Dimensional Gelatin Methacryloyl Hydrogels for Liver Tissue Engineering

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          Abstract

          Three-dimensional (3D) tissue models replicating liver architectures and functions are increasingly being needed for regenerative medicine. However, traditional studies are focused on establishing 2D environments for hepatocytes culture since it is challenging to recreate biodegradable 3D tissue-like architecture at a micro scale by using hydrogels. In this paper, we utilized a gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel as a matrix to construct 3D lobule-like microtissues for co-culture of hepatocytes and fibroblasts. GelMA hydrogel with high cytocompatibility and high structural fidelity was determined to fabricate hepatocytes encapsulated micromodules with central radial-type hole by photo-crosslinking through a digital micromirror device (DMD)-based microfluidic channel. The cellular micromodules were assembled through non-contact pick-up strategy relying on local fluid-based micromanipulation. Then the assembled micromodules were coated with fibroblast-laden GelMA, subsequently irradiated by ultraviolet for integration of the 3D lobule-like microtissues encapsulating multiple cell types. With long-term co-culture, the 3D lobule-like microtissues encapsulating hepatocytes and fibroblasts maintained over 90% cell viability. The liver function of albumin secretion was enhanced for the co-cultured 3D microtissues compared to the 3D microtissues encapsulating only hepatocytes. Experimental results demonstrated that 3D lobule-like microtissues fabricated by GelMA hydrogels capable of multicellular co-culture with high cell viability and liver function, which have huge potential for liver tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications.

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          Most cited references30

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          Hydrogels in regenerative medicine.

          Hydrogels, due to their unique biocompatibility, flexible methods of synthesis, range of constituents, and desirable physical characteristics, have been the material of choice for many applications in regenerative medicine. They can serve as scaffolds that provide structural integrity to tissue constructs, control drug and protein delivery to tissues and cultures, and serve as adhesives or barriers between tissue and material surfaces. In this work, the properties of hydrogels that are important for tissue engineering applications and the inherent material design constraints and challenges are discussed. Recent research involving several different hydrogels polymerized from a variety of synthetic and natural monomers using typical and novel synthetic methods are highlighted. Finally, special attention is given to the microfabrication techniques that are currently resulting in important advances in the field.
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            Liver regeneration.

            Liver regeneration after the loss of hepatic tissue is a fundamental parameter of liver response to injury. Recognized as a phenomenon from mythological times, it is now defined as an orchestrated response induced by specific external stimuli and involving sequential changes in gene expression, growth factor production, and morphologic structure. Many growth factors and cytokines, most notably hepatocyte growth factor, epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-alpha, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, insulin, and norepinephrine, appear to play important roles in this process. This review attempts to integrate the findings of the last three decades and looks toward clues as to the nature of the causes that trigger this fascinating organ and cellular response.
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              Microscale culture of human liver cells for drug development.

              Tissue function depends on hierarchical structures extending from single cells ( approximately 10 microm) to functional subunits (100 microm-1 mm) that coordinate organ functions. Conventional cell culture disperses tissues into single cells while neglecting higher-order processes. The application of semiconductor-driven microtechnology in the biomedical arena now allows fabrication of microscale tissue subunits that may be functionally improved and have the advantages of miniaturization. Here we present a miniaturized, multiwell culture system for human liver cells with optimized microscale architecture that maintains phenotypic functions for several weeks. The need for such models is underscored by the high rate of pre-launch and post-market attrition of pharmaceuticals due to liver toxicity. We demonstrate utility through assessment of gene expression profiles, phase I/II metabolism, canalicular transport, secretion of liver-specific products and susceptibility to hepatotoxins. The combination of microtechnology and tissue engineering may enable development of integrated tissue models in the so-called 'human on a chip'.
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                Author and article information

                Contributors
                Role: Academic Editor
                Role: Academic Editor
                Role: Academic Editor
                Journal
                Molecules
                Molecules
                molecules
                Molecules
                MDPI
                1420-3049
                07 May 2019
                May 2019
                : 24
                : 9
                : 1762
                Affiliations
                Intelligent Robotics Institute, School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China; cuijuan2016@ 123456bit.edu.cn (J.C.); shiqing8309@ 123456gmail.com (Q.S.); stnuc@ 123456sohu.com (T.S.); qhuang@ 123456bit.edu.cn (Q.H.); tofukuda@ 123456nifty.com (T.F.)
                Author notes
                [* ]Correspondence: wanghuaping@ 123456bit.edu.cn ; Tel.: +86-138-1173-2622
                Author information
                https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8440-3402
                Article
                molecules-24-01762
                10.3390/molecules24091762
                6539120
                31067670
                08fc8db0-a514-4612-b4d1-87a36f1cafaf
                © 2019 by the authors.

                Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

                History
                : 06 March 2019
                : 06 May 2019
                Categories
                Communication

                gelma hydrogel,co-culture,3d assembly,liver tissue engineering

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