Human hepatocyte morphology and functions in a multibore fiber bioreactor

The viability and liver specific functions of human hepatocytes in a multibore fiber bioreactor are reported. Human hepatocytes were cultured in the intraluminal compartment of the bioreactor. Human hepatocytes on the membranes maintained their round shape and showed focal adhesions as sites of interaction with the membrane surface. Cells in the bioreactor expressed liver specific functions, including synthetic and detoxification activity up to 14 d of culture. The results demonstrate that human hepatocytes cultured in the multibore fiber bioreactor are able to sustain the same in vivo liver functions in vitro.