Fluid Flow Regulation of Revascularization and Cellular Organization in a Bioengineered Liver Platform.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Modeling of human liver development, especially cellular organization and the mechanisms underlying it, is fundamental for studying liver organogenesis and congenital diseases, yet there are no reliable models that mimic these processes ex vivo.

Design

Using an organ engineering approach and relevant cell lines, we designed a perfusion system that delivers discrete mechanical forces inside an acellular liver extracellular matrix scaffold to study the effects of mechanical stimulation in hepatic tissue organization.

Results

We observed a fluid flow rate-dependent response in cell distribution within the liver scaffold. Next, we determined the role of nitric oxide (NO) as a mediator of fluid flow effects on endothelial cells. We observed impairment of both neo

SUBMITTER: Baptista PM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4863717 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature