Study of Hybrid Culture Technique using Human Hepatocytes and Mouse ES Cells by Three-dimensional Culture Scaffolds

Abstract

An in vitro embryonic stem cell test allows the screening of potential reproductive and developmental toxicities, but does not reflect human metabolic activators. Thus, a novel test for the hybrid cultures of hepatocytes and mouse ES cells should be developed. To develop procedures for the hybrid cultures of three kinds of hepatocyte and mouse ES cells, basic structures for hybrid cultures and two scaffolds for three-dimensional cultures were examined to determine optimal experimental conditions.In the comparison of basic structures for hybrid cultures, the incidence was slightly higher with hepatocytes placed outside the inter cell and embryo bodies (EBs) inside. As a result of the comparison of the scaffolds, glass fiber showed a slightly higher incidence than collagen gel scaffolds.