Improving Drug Discovery by Nucleic Acid Delivery in Engineered Human Microlivers.

ABSTRACT: The liver plays a central role in metabolism; however, xenobiotic metabolism variations between human hepatocytes and those in model organisms create challenges in establishing functional test beds to detect the potential drug toxicity and efficacy of candidate small molecules. In the emerging areas of RNA interference, viral gene therapy, and genome editing, more robust, long-lasting, and predictive human liver models may accelerate progress. Here, we apply a new modality to a previously established, functionally stable, multi-well bioengineered microliver-fabricated from primary human hepatocytes and supportive stromal cells-in order to advance both small molecule and nucleic acid therapeutic pipelines. Specifically, we achieve robust and durable gene silencing in vitro to tune the human

SUBMITTER: Mancio-Silva L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6408324 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature