ABSTRACT

There is a critical need for better bioengineered tissue models to predict efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and potential toxicity for candidate drugs. In vivo animal models have long served as the gold standard for testing prior to clinical trials, but the drawbacks associated with animal models are major contributors to the exorbitant costs and uncertainties in bringing a candidate drug from bench to bedside. In vitro systems comprised of actual human-derived cells are preferable from a predictive point of view (Greenhough, Medine et al. 2010). However, for these systems to accurately reflect human physiology, cells must retain their in vivo functions and remain viable for extended periods of time in in vitro settings. These requirements are key for future use in pharmacokinetic and toxicity testing. This is particularly true in the case of liver models, as the liver is commonly the first tissue to be critically assessed for toxic effects during drug and toxicology screening. In  vitro cultured primary hepatocytes are increasingly being used for screening in the pharmaceutical industry (Gomez-Lechon, Castell et al. 2010). However, there is still a need for an optimal culture system that improves the long-term maintenance of liver cells with retention of liver function for in vitro drug screening.