Evaluation of effects of shear stress on hepatocytes by a microchip-based system

A microchip-based evaluation system for the effects of shear stress on hepatocyte activity was developed. The shear flows caused hepatocytes to change morphology and functions according to their exposed value of shear stress. The metabolic activities of hepatocytes under higher shear stress were lower, especially when the cultivation time exceeded 3 days. The morphologic observation revealed that hepatocytes changed their shape like vascular endothelial cells do. This suggested that perfusion affected the function and morphology of hepatocytes in the microchip. This system is useful for the optimization of flow conditions in microfluidic bioreactors.