Analysis of liver cell aggregate motility on synthetic polymer films: effect of void microstructure

Abstract

The ability to control hepatocyte aggregation on synthetic polymeric substrate is crucial in cell transplantation for treatment of liver failure. In order for the the primary liver cells, hepatocytes, to function properly, it is critical that they maintain a suitable morphology on the substrate as they do in native liver. In previous studies, hepatocytes have been observed to reorganize and aggregate to varying extents on synthetic porous poly-glycolic and poly-lactic acid scaffolds; however, little is known quantitatively about such phenomena. This study focuses on identifying the effect of various degrees of surface texture of the polymeric substrates on the rate and extent of hepatocyte aggregation.