Human liver microtissue spheroids in hollow fiber membrane bioreactor

Abstract The aim of this work was to create human liver microtissue spheroids metabolically active by using a hollow fiber membrane bioreactor whose design and structural features ensure a uniform microenvironment and adequate oxygenation. Human hepatocyte spheroids with uniform size and shape were formed through self-assembling and cultured into the bioreactor. Adjacent spheroids fused, giving rise to larger microstructures around the fibers forming liver-like tissue, which retained functional features in terms of urea synthesis, albumin production, and diazepam biotransformation up to 25 days. The overall data strongly corroborates that within the bioreactor a proper oxygenation and supply of nutrients were provided to the cells ensuring a physiological amount even in the spheroids core. The oxygen uptake rate and the mathematical modelling of the mass transfer directly elucidated that liver microtissue spheroids are not exposed to any oxygen mass transfer limitation. The minimum oxygen concentration reached at the center of multiple spheroids with diameter of 200 μm is significantly higher than the one of the perivenous zone in vivo , while for larger microtissues (400 μm diameter) the oxygen concentration drops to values that are equal to the maximum concentration found in the liver periportal zone. Both experimental and modelling investigations led to the achievement of significant results in terms of liver cell performance. Indeed, the creation of a permissive microenvironment inside the bioreactor supported the formation and long-term maintenance of functional human liver microtissues.