Proliferation Rates of HepG2 Cells Encapsulated in Alginate Are Increased in a Microgravity Environment Compared With Static Cultures

• Published in: Artificial organs 2005-02, Vol.29 (2), p.152-158
• Main Authors: Coward, Sam M., Selden, Clare, Mantalaris, Athanasios, Hodgson, Humphrey J.F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alginates - pharmacology; Artificial; Biocompatible Materials - pharmacology; Bioreactors; Cell Culture Techniques; Cell Line; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Glucuronic Acid - pharmacology; Hepatocytes; Hepatocytes - drug effects; Hepatocytes - physiology; Hexuronic Acids - pharmacology; Humans; Hypogravity; Liver; Liver, Artificial; Microspheres; Rotating vessel; Tumor
• ISSN: 0160-564X; 1525-1594
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-1594.2005.29026.x

:  This study investigates the effect of rotary culture compared with static culture on the proliferation, cell viability, synthetic function and detoxificatory capacity of HepG2 cells encapsulated in 1% alginate. Cell viability and alginate bead morphology were maintained in the rotary culture system at day 10, while cell number showed a 4.5‐fold increase compared with static culture. Protein production was increased in rotary cultures with a 4.1‐fold increase in total albumin and a 4.4‐fold increase in α1 antitrypsin levels in rotary compared with static culture at day 10. CYP4501A1/2 activity was maintained between the two culture systems. In conclusion, rotary culture increases proliferation rates leading to improved bead packing and a concomitant increase in total protein synthesis, along with maintenance of detoxificatory capacity. This allows a greater level of hepatic function to be expressed in a given volume, offering clear advantages for the design of liver support systems.