Analysis of cell viability and differential activity of mouse hepatocytes under 3D and 2D culture in agarose gel

Three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) cultures of hepatocytes in various concentrations (0.3-0.7%) of agarose gel revealed that the hepatocy tes under 3D cultures in 0.3% agarose gel possess long-term(>3 weeks) viabi lity, significant self-assembly to form tissue like aggregates, low lactate dehydrogenase release and high albumin synthesis. These were in contrast t o 2D culture of hepatocytes. Our results suggest that the 3D culture of hep atocytes in agarose gel favors aggregate formation of functionally active c ells and would be useful for liver transplantation as well as to analyze he patocytes biology.