Determination of optimum aggregates of porcine hepatocytes as a cell source of a bioartificial liver

Large quantities of porcine hepatocyte aggregates with various degrees of aggregation (DA) could be obtained by controlling the suspension periods (0, 9, 24, and 48 h), and by entrapping the hepatocyte aggregates in model materials of encapsulation such as Ca-alginate and type-I collagen gels. The effects of DA on liver-specific functions of hepatocytes were evaluated in order to obtain optimum DA for the cell source of bioartificial liver. (BAL) systems. Irregular rugged aggregates (size 75+/-28 mum) formed by 24 h of suspension culturing showed peak viability and hepatic functions such as ammonia removal and albumin secretion in the two types of entrapment systems, thus offering themselves as a stable cell source of a BAL system for hepatic functions and scale-up.