217304 Reconstruction of bile ducts by biliary epithelial cells in a PLGA membrane sandwich culture model

Abstract

In this study, we reconstructed bile ducts by biliary epithelial cells (BECs) between collagen gel and a biodegradable poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) membrane. We found that the density of collagen coating on the PLGA membrane as well as the membrane porosity affected the BEC morphogenesis. In particular, bile ducts formed with a non-porous membrane were larger than those formed with a porous membranes. In addition, only BECs contacted with a PLGA membrane formed bile ducts. Reconstructed bile ducts were maintained in culture even after a PLGA membrane was degraded. These results suggest that this culture system can be extended to co-culture of bile ducts and the second cell type with direct contacts.