Download PDF
Semin Liver Dis 2021; 41(03): 368-392
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1731016
Review Article

Bioengineered Liver Models for Investigating Disease Pathogenesis and Regenerative Medicine

David A. Kukla
1   Deparment of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
,
Salman R. Khetani
1   Deparment of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
› Author Affiliations Funding U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 1R21AI147137-01, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 1R01DK115747-01A1
› Further Information
   Buy Article Permissions and Reprints
Zoom Image

Abstract

Owing to species-specific differences in liver pathways, in vitro human liver models are utilized for elucidating mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis, drug development, and regenerative medicine. To mitigate limitations with de-differentiated cultures, bioengineers have developed advanced techniques/platforms, including micropatterned cocultures, spheroids/organoids, bioprinting, and microfluidic devices, for perfusing cell cultures and liver slices. Such techniques improve mature functions and culture lifetime of primary and stem-cell human liver cells. Furthermore, bioengineered liver models display several features of liver diseases including infections with pathogens (e.g., malaria, hepatitis C/B viruses, Zika, dengue, yellow fever), alcoholic/nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cancer. Here, we discuss features of bioengineered human liver models, their uses for modeling aforementioned diseases, and how such models are being augmented/adapted for fabricating implantable human liver tissues for clinical therapy. Ultimately, continued advances in bioengineered human liver models have the potential to aid the development of novel, safe, and efficacious therapies for liver disease.

Keywords

tissue engineering - drug development - micropatterned cocultures - organoids


Publication History

Article published online:
17 June 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA