Hybrid artificial liver using hepatocyte organoid culture

We developed 2 types of hybrid artificial liver modules using hepatocyte or ganoid culture. One was a polyurethane foam (PUF)/hepatocyte spheroid packe d-bed module. Hepatocytes spontaneously formed spheroids in the PUF pores, and they maintained liver-specific functions well for at least 2 weeks in v itro. As a preclinical experiment, a hybrid artificial liver with 200 g por cine hepatocytes was applied to a pig (25 kg) with liver failure and showed that the hybrid artificial liver was effective in support of Liver functio ns and stabilization of general conditions. We established a new technique of hepatocyte organoid formation using centrifugal force. A hepatocyte orga noid formed by centrifugation in hollow fibers maintained functions for mor e than 4 months in vitro. We developed a new sinusoid-like structure module having hollow fibers arranged by spacers in a micro-regular arrangement. I noculated hepatocytes in the extra-fiber space of the module formed the org anoid by centrifugation, and they maintained the functions for at least 1 m onth in vitro. The results indicated that this module seems to be promising as a hybrid artificial liver.