Abstract
Adult rat hepatocytes formed spherical multicellular aggregates (spheroids) when they were cultured in the pores of polyurethane foam (PUF). The diameter of the spheroids was within the range 100-200 μm. These spheroids partly attached and immobilized in the PUF pores for at least 2 weeks. The albumin production rate by the spheroids increased up to 17.0 μg/106 nuclei per day during the first 6 days and maintained at a high level for 2 weeks. In contrast, the albumin production rate by the monolayer markedly decreased after 3 days. The spheroid culture using PUF seems to be a convenient and simple method for maintaining some differentiated functions of hepatocytes and for making a bioreactor using the function of spheroids.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 324-326 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology |
Volume | 36 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 1 1991 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Biotechnology
- Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology