The HepaRG cell line: a unique in vitro tool for understanding drug metabolism and toxicology in human

Introduction: HepaRG is a unique cell line showing a great plasticity, which differentiates to both canaliculae-like and hepatocyte-like cells. The long-term stability of key cell functions, for example, the drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme activities, in culture is especially useful in drug metabolism, disposition and toxicity studies. Areas covered: This review describes features of the HepaRG cells focusing on drug-metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters, their functionality and regulation. Several applications in drug discovery studies are discussed and the use of HepaRG, as a human relevant predictive in vitro CYP induction model, is described. In addition, promising studies using HepaRG cells for understanding liver toxicity mechanisms by drug compounds are also discussed. Expert opinion: HepaRG cells exhibit features which make them useful as an in vitro model for drug metabolism, disposition and toxicity studies, and could, for many studies, replace the requirement for primary hum...