Abstract
Long-term maintenance of viability and expression of differentiated hepatocyte function is crucial for bioartificial liver support. We developed a new bioreactor design (ALEX®), associated with a new extracellular autologous hepatocyte biomatrix (Porcine Autologous Biomatrix - PBM) support. To test this new bioreactor, we compared it to a standard BAL (Bio-Artificial Liver) cartridge in a ex vivo model using human plasma added to bilirubin, ammonium and lidocaine. A pathology study was performed on both bioreactors. The results suggest that ALEX® allows a maximal contact between the perfusing plasma and the liver cells and a proper hepatocyte support by a cell-to-matrix attachment. ALEX® is a suitable cell support bioreactor, guaranteeing long-term maintenance of the metabolic activity of hepatocytes when compared to a standard BAL cartridge.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 960-965 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | International Journal of Artificial Organs |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 10 |
State | Published - Oct 1 2002 |
Keywords
- Bioartificial Liver
- Biomatrix
- Bioreactor
- Liver
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biophysics