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Functional three-dimensional (3D) liver cell model for compound testing

 Aim of the project

We have developed a three dimensional liver cell model capable of maintaining human liver cell functional over a longer period of time. It shall allow analyzing not only short term effects induced by xenobiotics. It may be applied as pharmacological or toxicological test system, for biomedical research, in the food and feed’s area, to detect physiological effects.

Background of the project

The liver is the central organ of the whole metabolism. Roughly all compounds taken up via the gut, pass firstly the liver before entering the entire organism. Main functions are detoxification, degradation and elimination of compounds. Further functions are the production of essential proteins, turnover of food ingredients and storage.
Liver damage and failure is one of the major reasons why tested drugs have to be withdrawn from the market. During development of new compounds they are analyzed for their liver toxic properties with in vitro and in vivo tests. This is often done in two dimensional liver cell cultures. The 2D models have the disadvantage to be less sensitive than native liver. Growth and maintenance of liver cells in a 3D environment supports the expression of cell and organotypic properties. Thus 3D systems are closed to the native situation.

The reproduction of the natural three-dimensional environment is facilitated by matrices. As expected the 3D tissue demonstrated liver function parameters better than the two-dimensional system. Values are closer to the native situation. The model should therefore inherit a higher relevance to predict pharmaco-toxicological effects.

Laboratories involved

BioMed-zet Life Science GmbH, zet-LSL, GWP