"Cell Cross-talk" analysis in static and dynamic Multi-Compartmental Bioreactor

Our research is based on use of multi-compartmental bioreactor (MCB) designed on the basis of allometric scaling laws in order to recreate physiological life conditions of four different human cell types (pancreatic, adipocyte, endothelial and hepatic cells), interconnected each other trough media flow. In this work we have analysed the crosstalk of two different cell types: endothelial and hepatic cells, cultured in static and dynamic conditions without and with connection between them. Endothelial cells are derived by umbilical vein of human cord; while, hepatic cells are a purchased cell line called HepG2. We have set up optimal work conditions of both cell types before in static conditions and then in MCB system. The determination of cell behaviour alone and of their cross-talk has been determined by the analysis of urea, glucose, albumin and nitric oxide in collected samples of media culture. The results of this experiments have been showed that there is an increase in the release of urea and albumin and in the consumption of glucose, while there were not significant changes in nitric oxide levels, in the cells cultured in MCB system respect them cultured alone.