Development of 3-d liver model for drug screening applications

The need for a an in vitro drug screening system that mimics the structural organization of natural liver for multi-functionality and maintenance of hepatocytes has become vital in the drug development process. The objective of this study was to engineer a three-dimensional (3-D) liver model using chitosan-based nanofiber scaffolds and co-culture system (adult rat hepatocytes and 3T3-J2 fibroblasts) to mimic the natural liver and to justify its application for in vitro drug screening. Chitosan nanofiber scaffolds were fabricated by electrospinning technique. In order to promote cell adhesion on the chitosan scaffolds, the scaffolds were coated with a cell adhesion molecule, fibronectin, by adsorption. The effects of mono-culture and co-culture systems on the proliferation and functional activities of hepatocytes were investigated. Lastly, the utilization of the optimized 3-D model for drug screening was tested. The results showed that 3-D in vitro liver model in co-culture maintained hepatic morphology and shows suitable liver function such as albumin secretion for a prolonged period. The model showed acceptable cytochrome P450 enzyme activity which plays a key role in drug metabolism.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering - (M.S.)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biomedical Engineering

Year

2012

Author dc:creator

• Rajendran, Divya

Contributors dc:contributor

• Cheul H. Cho
• George Collins
• Treena Livingston Arinzeh

• Three-dimensional (3-D) liver model
• Chitosan nanofiber scaffolds
• In vitro drug screening
• Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/112

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.njit.edu:theses-1111