Comparison of hollow fibre membranes for hepatocyte immobilisation in bioreactors.

Various hollow fibre membranes of polyamide, cellulose and polypropylene were investigated as potential substrata for hepatocyte immobilisation in bioreactors for hybrid liver support systems. Membranes were subjected to a cytocompatibility test in which the attachment and morphology of primary hepatocytes were evaluated. The effect of coating with collagen and fibronectin was also studied. Adequate cell immobilisation was possible on polypropylene and polyamide membranes even without coating. The flattening process of the cells was dependent on the material and the coating. The incorporation of porous polypropylene hollow fibres in hybrid liver cell bioreactors and their specific permeability properties could also offer means for cell oxygenation, metabolite distribution and immuno-isolation purposes.