Thus, this functional unit with a biomimetic phenotype provides a novel technology for bioengineering biomimetic hepatic lobules in vitro, with potential utility as a building block for bioartificial liver (BAL) engineering or as a robust tool for drug metabolism investigation. More importantly, the cocultured hepatocytes outperformed monocultures or monolayer cultures, displaying significantly enhanced hepatocyte functions, including functional gene expression, albumin (ALB) secretion, urea synthesis, and metabolic activity. This endowed the three-dimensional (3D) tissue constructs with the capability to recapitulate hepatic-like parenchymal–mesenchymal growth patterns in vitro. The hepatocytes showed special epithelial polarity and bile duct formation, similar to the liver plate, while the aligned endothelial cells generated endothelial networks, similar to natural hepatic sinuses. Relatively long-term viability of hepatocyte/endothelial cells was found along with cell alignment and organization in vitro. 'Injectable porous scaffolds promote better, quicker healing after. A proof-of-concept study to bioengineer biomimetic hepatic lobules was conducted through coculturing human hepatocytes and primary endothelial cells on these lobular-like scaffolds. APL Bioengineering, 2021 5 (1): 016104 DOI: 10.1063/5.0035291 Cite This Page: MLA APA Chicago American Institute of Physics. In the present study, a versatile strategy to fabricate lobular-like silk protein scaffolds with radially aligned lamellar sheets, interconnected channels, and a converging central cavity was designed and implemented.
![porous protein scaffold bioengineering porous protein scaffold bioengineering](https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/research/NgaiToGroup/images/publication/pub_102.png)
Then the CG scaffolds were rinsed with PBS and observed by inverted fluorescence microscope (Axio Vert A1, Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany). However, the intricate architecture and specific biofunctionality possessed by the native liver tissue remain challenging to mimic in vitro. The CG scaffolds were rinsed with PBS and incubated with ReadyProbes Cell Viability Imaging Kit (Blue/Green) for 15 min at 37 C after 3 days of culture. Bioengineering functional hepatic tissue constructs that physiologically replicate the human native liver tissue in vitro is sought for clinical research and drug discovery.