AUTHOR=Byeon Jae Hee , Jung Da Jung , Han Hyo-Jeong , Son Woo-Chan , Jeong Gi Seok 

TITLE=Fast formation and maturation enhancement of human liver organoids using a liver-organoid-on-a-chip

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cell-and-developmental-biology/articles/10.3389/fcell.2024.1452485

DOI=10.3389/fcell.2024.1452485

ISSN=2296-634X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> Spatial and functional hepatic zonation, established by the heterogeneous tissue along the portal–central axis of the liver, is important for ensuring optimal liver function. Researchers have attempted to develop reliable hepatic models to mimic the liver microenvironment and analyze liver function using hepatocytes cultured in the developed systems. However, mimicking the liver microenvironment <italic>in vitro</italic> remains a great challenge owing to the lack of perfusable vascular networks in the model systems and the limitation in maintaining hepatocyte function over time.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> In this study, we established a microphysiological system that operated under continuous flush medium flow, thereby allowing the supply of nutrients and oxygen to liver organoids and the removal of waste and release of cytokines therefrom, similar to the function of blood vessels.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> The application of microphysiological system to organoid culture was advantageous for reducing the differentiation time and enhancing the functional maturity of human liver organoid.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> Hence, our microphysiological culture system might open the possibility of the miniaturized liver model system into a single device to enable more rational <italic>in vitro</italic> assays of liver response.</p>