Mimetix® Electrospun Scaffolds for 3D Culture of Upcyte® and Primary Hepatocytes

This study investigates the Mimetix® electrospun scaffold, which consists of highly uniform electrospun PLLA microfibres supporting the three-dimensional growth of cells, as a cell-based assay system for upcyte® and primary hepatocytes. Migration into the scaffold, cell viability, as well as urea production and basal and induced CYP3A4 enzyme activity as typical hepatocyte functions were analysed. Both cell types were able to grow in the scaffolds for longer periods than in 2D. Primary hepatocytes also showed increased urea production in long-term cultures (2 weeks), while upcyte® Hepatocytes were responsive to Rifampicin, a proto-typical inducer of CYP 3A4 and showed higher basal, as well as induced levels of CYP activity than when grown in a 2D monolayer.