Membrane bioreactor to guide hepatic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells

Abstract The eminent role of the membrane technology in liver tissue engineering is already consolidated. Indeed, membranes with their geometry and intrinsic properties can modulate liver cell behavior and tissue organization. The development of a robust membrane-based engineered hepatic differentiation model has to satisfy a plethora of fundamental criteria with the aim to reproduce a biomimetic environment, which exposes the undifferentiated cells to their native niche. Within our membrane bioreactor, a large compendium of aspects for controlling key process variables are satisfied; thus providing an optimal setting in terms of fluid dynamic and membrane properties and offering optimal structural, topographical and trophic support to boost cell differentiation. The aim of this work is to develop a bioartificial membrane system with an ideal microenvironment for the promotion of stem cell differentiation towards a hepatic lineage. The homogeneous surrounding created by the continuous membrane perfusion enhanced the hepatic maturation in terms of gene expression, metabolic and synthetic functions. The work highlights the potential role of membrane systems as a useful investigational platform to study liver cell behavior in physiological and pathological conditions. In addition, it opens promising applications in the field of personalized medicine serving as controlled tool for disease modelling.