Evaluation of a galactose-carrying gelatin sponge for hepatocytes culture and transplantation.

This study proposes a new three-dimensional culture of mouse hepatocytes in a porous galactose-carrying modified gelatin sponge matrix. The modification of gelatin using galactose residues significantly increased the attachment of hepatocytes on the substrate. A modified gelatin sponge with lactobionic acid (MGLA) was prepared to increase the specific interaction between the hepatocytes and the matrix. Hepatocytes cultured in a three-dimensional MGLA sponge released much less lactate dehydrogenase than those cultured on a collagen Type I-coated monolayer. Moreover, the survival rate of hepatocytes cultured on an MGLA sponge was longer than the survival rate of hepatocytes cultured on a collagen Type I-coated monolayer. Hepatic specific metabolic functions, namely, the secretion of serum albumin and the synthesis of urea, were well maintained and promoted by spheroidal hepatocytes formed in the MGLA sponge. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 67A: 733–741, 2003