Novel hybrid three-dimensional artificial liver using human induced pluripotent stem cells and a rat decellularized liver scaffold

• Main Authors: Takahito Minami, Takamichi Ishii, Kentaro Yasuchika, Ken Fukumitsu, Satoshi Ogiso, Yuya Miyauchi, Hidenobu Kojima, Takayuki Kawai, Ryoya Yamaoka, Yu Oshima, Hiroshi Kawamoto, Maki Kotaka, Katsutaro Yasuda, Kenji Osafune, Shinji Uemoto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2019-06-01
• Series: Regenerative Therapy
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235232041830107X

Introduction: Liver transplantation is currently the only curative therapy for end-stage liver failure; however, establishment of alternative treatments is required owing to the serious donor organ shortage. Here, we propose a novel model of hybrid three-dimensional artificial livers using both human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and a rat decellularized liver serving as a scaffold. Methods: Rat liver harvesting and decellularization were performed as reported in our previous studies. The decellularized liver scaffold was recellularized with hiPSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells (hiPSC-HLCs) through the biliary duct. The recellularized liver graft was continuously perfused with the culture medium using a pump at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min in a standard CO2 (5%) cell incubator at 37 °C. Results: After 48 h of continuous perfusion culture, the hiPSC-HLCs of the recellularized liver distributed into the parenchymal space. Furthermore, the recellularized liver expressed the albumin (ALB) and CYP3A4 genes, and secreted human ALB into the culture medium. Conclusion: Novel hybrid artificial livers using hiPSCs and rat decellularized liver scaffolds were successfully generated, which possessed human hepatic functions. Keywords: Decellularized liver, Recellularization, Human iPSC, Hepatocyte, Artificial liver