Basic study about the development of the hybrid-artificial liver support system using human hepatoma cell lines (Hep G2, Huh 7): effects on liver functions by extracellular matrix (type I collagen) in monolayer culture

The risk of xenozoonosis infections poses the greatest obstacles against the clinical application of hybrid-artificial liver support system (HALSS). To resolve this issue, we used human hepatoma cell lines (Hep G2, Huh 7) in a type I collagen-coated monolayer culture system, and analyzed liver specific functions such as ammonia removal and albumin synthesis capacity. Ammonia removal activity (nmol/10(6) nuclei/hour) and albumin synthesis activity (microgram/10(6) nuclei/day) were upregulated in both Hep G2 and Huh 7 by type I collagen-coated monolayer culture. In particular, Hep G2 cultured in type I collagen-coated monolayer demonstrated relatively high ammonia removal and albumin synthesis capacity. These results indicate the possibility of the application of human hepatocytes to HALSS.