Improvements in Maturity and Stability of 3D iPSC-Derived Hepatocyte-like Cell Cultures

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology enables differentiation of human hepatocytes or hepatocyte-like cells (iPSC-HLCs). Advances in 3D culturing platforms enable the development more vivo-like liver models that recapitulate complex architecture and functionality better than traditional 2D monocultures. Moreover, within liver, non-parenchymal (NPCs) are critically involved regulation maintenance hepatocyte metabolic function. Thus, combining culture co-culturing various types potentially create functional vitro Here, we report establishment cultures iPSC-HLCs alone co-culture with umbilical vein endothelial (HUVECs) adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal (hASCs). The were performed as spheroids on microfluidic chips utilizing biomaterials. Our results show both spheroid on-chip enhance expression mature marker genes proteins compared to 2D. Among models, saw best iPSC-HLC monoculture spheroids. On contrary, chip system, multilineage model outperformed model. Additionally, optical projection tomography (OPT) electrical impedance (EIT) system revealed changes size conductivity during culture, suggesting cell–cell connections. Altogether, present study demonstrates can successfully be cultured chips, NPCs enhances their functionality. These systems promising human-derived usable liver-related studies, specifically when using patient-specific iPSCs.