BIOT 457 |
| Hepatic hollow fiber bioreactors are considered a promising class of bioartificial liver assist device (BLAD). Unfortunately, limited oxygen transport to hepatocytes within this device hinders further development. Hepatocytes in vivo (in the liver sinusoid) experience a wide range of oxygen tensions (25-70 mmHg) which is important for development of proper differentiated function (zonation). We hypothesize that altering the kinetics of oxygen binding/release to/from hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) could potentially target oxygen delivery to cultured cells. Low oxygen affinity HBOCs preferentially targeted oxygen delivery at high inlet oxygen tensions. Conversely, high oxygen affinity HBOCs targeted oxygen delivery at low inlet oxygen tensions. Additionally, inlet oxygen tension, flow rate, and HBOC concentration were varied to find optimal bioreactor operating conditions. Our results demonstrate that HBOCs can enhance oxygen delivery to cultured hepatocytes, while exposing them to in vivo-like oxygen tensions which is critical in developing a fully functional BLAD. |
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Upstream Processing: Advances in Tissue Engineering
8:00 AM-11:00 AM, Thursday, August 23, 2007 BCEC -- 107C, Oral
Division of Biochemical Technology |