In-vitro transgenic mice liver tissue culture via hydrodynamic flow perfusion bioreactor

We report a Poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) bioreactor in which hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected transgenic mice liver tissue has been cultured for long term with the continuous flow of culture medium, surrounded by mesothelial cells to provide 3-dimensional culturing conditions with adequate nutrient exchange. PDMS membrane was fabricated and a layer of mesothelial cells were cultured on it. Further this membrane was deformed and positioned on the microchannel by suction through the holes at the bottom of the channel. Liver tissue of transgenic mice was introduced on PDMS membrane. The experimental results proved that the proposed bioreactor portrays the in-vivo conditions better, with substantial improvement of liver-specific functions such as sufficient antigen expression, better structural integrity when compared to conventional static culture method. The in-vitro culture period of sliced liver tissue in our bioreactor was extended for 9 days to facilitate drug screening applications.