Gut Liver.  2017 Jan;11(1):121-128. 10.5009/gnl16010.

Generation of Multilayered 3D Structures of HepG2 Cells Using a Bio-printing Technique

• Jeon H
• Kang K
• Park SA
• Kim WD
• Paik SS
• Lee SH
• Jeong J
• Choi D

• KMID: 2412163
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5009/gnl16010

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Chronic liver disease is a major widespread cause of death, and whole liver transplantation is the only definitive treatment for patients with end-stage liver diseases. However, many problems, including donor shortage, surgical complications and cost, hinder their usage. Recently, tissue-engineering technology provided a potential breakthrough for solving these problems. Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has been used to mimic tissues and organs suitable for transplantation, but applications for the liver have been rare.
METHODS
A 3D bioprinting system was used to construct 3D printed hepatic structures using alginate. HepG2 cells were cultured on these 3D structures for 3 weeks and examined by fluorescence microscopy, histology and immunohistochemistry. The expression of liver-specific markers was quantified on days 1, 7, 14, and 21.
RESULTS
The cells grew well on the alginate scaffold, and liver-specific gene expression increased. The cells grew more extensively in 3D culture than two-dimensional culture and exhibited better structural aspects of the liver, indicating that the 3D bioprinting method recapitulates the liver architecture.
CONCLUSIONS
The 3D bioprinting of hepatic structures appears feasible. This technology may become a major tool and provide a bridge between basic science and the clinical challenges for regenerative medicine of the liver.

Keyword

Hep G2 cell; Printing, three-dimensional

MeSH Terms

Alginates
Cell Proliferation
Glucuronic Acid
Hep G2 Cells/*cytology/metabolism
Hexuronic Acids
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Liver/*anatomy & histology/metabolism
Microscopy, Fluorescence
*Printing, Three-Dimensional
RNA, Messenger/metabolism
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
Tissue Engineering/*methods
Tissue Scaffolds
Alginates
Hexuronic Acids
RNA, Messenger
Glucuronic Acid