Albumin and urea production by hepatocytes cultured on extracellular matrix proteins-conjugated poly(vinyl alcohol) membranes

J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2005;16(7):847-60. doi: 10.1163/1568562054255727.

Abstract

Production of albumin and urea by mouse hepatocytes on poly(vinylalcohol-co-ethylamine) (PVA-EA) membranes containing immobilized extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins was investigated for 7 days. The amount of ECM proteins (collagen, vitronectin and laminin) immobilized on PVA-EA and PVA-ECM membranes was determined to range from 1.09 microg/cm2 to 1.60 microg/cm2. Hepatocytes cultured on PVA-ECM membranes in serum-free media showed higher albumin production than those cultured on PVA-EA membranes after a 7-day incubation under the conditions in this study. Urea production by hepatocytes on PVA-ECM membranes was also determined to be higher than that on PVA-EA membranes up until day 5 of incubation in serum-free media, whereas no difference of urea production by hepatocytes on different PVA-ECM membranes and PVA-EA membranes was observed at 7 days of incubation. The effect of ECM proteins in PVA-ECM membranes on hepatocyte function (such as albumin and urea production) was observed in hepatocytes cultured in serum-free media up to day 5 of incubation. The ECM proteins immobilized on the PVA-ECM membranes contributed not only to the long-term stable production of albumin and urea by hepatocytes, but also the improved surviVal (viability) of hepatocytes on PVA-ECM membranes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Albumins / biosynthesis*
  • Animals
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Growth Processes / physiology
  • Ethylamines*
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins*
  • Hepatocytes / cytology
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism*
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol*
  • Time Factors
  • Urea / metabolism*

Substances

  • Albumins
  • Ethylamines
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • poly(vinyl alcohol-co-ethylamine)
  • Urea
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol