Improvement of Hepatic Functions by Spheroids Coculture with Fibroblasts in 3D Silica Nonwoven Fabrics.

In order to realize organ-on-a-chip as an effective tool for regenerative medicine and drug development, tissue-mimic cell culture methods which promote liver-specific function for long period have been developed. We have previously demonstrated that coculture of hepatocyte spheroids on fibroblasts using micropatterned substrate improved the hepatic functions due to the heterotypic cell-cell interactions and paracrine signaling from each other. In addition, hepatocyte function cultured as monolayer was also promoted in separately coculture with fibroblasts cultured as monolayer, and it is more improved in separately coculture with fibroblasts in 3D silica nonwoven fabrics. In this study, separately coculture of hepatocyte spheroids with fibroblasts cultured on 3D silica nonwoven fabrics was estimated for further improvement of hepatocyte functions. The hepatic function cocultured with fibroblast was more promoted than mono spheroids culture. The functional enhancement was significantly most improved in separately coculture with fibroblast in 3D silica nonwoven fabrics. Thus, these results were suggested that 3D culture of fibroblasts in 3D silica nonwoven fabrics increased the heterotypic secretion of paracrine factors, and it is essential for improved hepatic performance.