Three-dimensional hepatocyte culture system for the study of Echinococcus multilocularis larval development.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatocyte-based metacestode culture is an attractive method to study alveolar echinococcosis (AE), but it is limited by the relatively short lifespan of cultured hepatocytes in maintaining their normal function.

Methodology/principal findings

We describe a three-dimensional (3D) hepatic culture system developed from co-cultured hepatocytes and mesenchymal stem cells using a collagen scaffold to study the development of Echinococcus multilocularis larvae. This 3D culture system preserved the function of hepatocytes for a longer period of time than their monolayer counterparts, with albumin secretion, 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation activity, urea synthesis, CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 activity being highly preserved for 21-28 days. The expression levels of hepatocyte-speci

SUBMITTER: Li L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5868855 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature