Connected culture of murine hepatocytes and HUVEC in a multicompartmental bioreactor.

A multicompartmental bioreactor was conceived and designed to mimic cross talk between cells in different culture chambers connected only by flow, such that cell-cell interaction is mediated by soluble ligands as occurs in the body. The system was tested with a connected culture of murine hepatocytes and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Metabolites such as albumin, urea, lactate and viability were monitored during the course of the experiments and compared with monoculture conditions in the bioreactor. When the two cell types are placed in connected culture, there is an increase in endothelial cell viability and hepatic glucose synthesis as well as albumin and urea production, while overall lactate production in the system is downregulated. The results show that the multicompartmental bioreactor enhances cell function, effectively combining both heterotypic interactions with increased nutrient availability.