Abstract
Apatite-fiber scaffolds (AFSs) with excellent biocompatibility have been developed using single-crystal apatite fiber (AF) as scaffolds for tissue engineering. We have reported that the AFSs with a pore diameter of approximately 150 µm have three-dimensional (3D) interconnecting pores that allow cell penetration, which facilitates the successful 3D culturing of cells, such as hepatocytes and osteoblasts. In this study, to clarify the pore structure of scaffold materials with a 3D structure suitable for the reconstruction of regenerated liver organoids, five AFSs with different porosities and pore diameters were prepared, including a ‘large pore type AFS’ using 250 µm CB in addition to conventional carbon beads (CB) of particle diameter of 150 µm particle diameter. In vitro evaluations of five AFSs was performed using HepG2 cells, which are model hepatocytes. As a result, AFS with 250 µm CB is useful for the construction of liver organoids.
