In vitro large-scale cultivation and evaluation of microencapsulated immortalized human hepatocytes (HepLL) in roller bottles

Background/Aims: Microencapsulated hepatocytes have been proposed as promising bioactive agents for packed-bed or fluidized-bed bioartificial liver assist devices (BLADs) and for hepatocyte transplantation because of the potential advantages they offer of high mass transport rate and an optimal microenvironment for hepatocyte culture. We developed a large-scale and high-production alginate-chitosan (AC) microcapsule roller bottle culture system for the encapsulation of HepLL immortalized human hepatocytes. In this study, the efficacy of upscaling encapsulated HepLL cells production with roller bottle cultivation was evaluated in vitro. Methods: Microencapsulated HepLL cells were grown at high yield in large-scale roller bottles, with free cells cultured in roller bottle spinners serving as controls. The mechanical stability and the permeability of the AC microcapsules were investigated, and the growth, metabolism and functions of the encapsulated HepLL cells were evaluated as compared to free cells. Results: The microcapsules withstood well the shear stress induced by high agitation rates. The microcapsules were permeable to albumin, but prevented the release of immunoglobulins. Culture in roller bottles of immortalized human hepatocytes immobilized in the AC microcapsules improved cell growth, albumin synthesis, ammonia elimination and lidocaine clearance as compared with free cells cultured in roller bottles. Conclusions: encapsulated HepLL cells may be cultured on a large scale in roller bottles. This makes them possible candidates for use in cell-based liver assist therapies. (Int J Artif Organs 2009; 32: 272-81)