Engineering of an Hepatic Organoid to Develop Liver Assist Devices

Abstract

Cell-based technologies to support/restore liver function represent one of the most promising opportunities in the treatment of acute liver failure. However, the understanding of the constituent cell types that interact to achieve liver-specific structure and function has not been achieved in the development of liver assist devices (LADs). Here we show that hepatocytes migrated toward and adhered and formed sinusoids-like structures in conjunction with liver nonparenchymal cells, and that this liver organoid formed sophisticated tissue after 7 days in an implanted LAD in rodents. Hepatocytes only or in combination with human nonparenchymal liver cell lines (endothelial, cholangiocytes, and stellate cells) were cultured in Matrigel. Ultrastructural analysis showed that the hepatocyte-decorated endothelial vascular structures resemble in vivo sinusoids containing plate-like structures, bile canaliculi, and lumen. The sinusoid-like structures retained albumin secretion and drug metabolism capabilities. In addition, LADs containing cocultures of human liver nonparenchymal cells were transplanted in animals for a week; the liver tissue formed sophisticated structures resembling the liver. These results demonstrate the importance of nonparenchymal cells in the cellular composition of LADs. The novelty of the culture's sinusoid-like organization and function strongly support the integration of liver nonparenchymal units into hepatocyte coculture-based LADs as a potential destination therapy for liver failure.

Keywords

Organoid Liver support Liver cell therapy Liver failure

Introduction

Fulminant hepatic failure is a life-threatening condition that is treated by transplantation of the liver when a donor organ can be found. Because the natural history of acute failure varies so widely, even transient hepatic failure, when severe, must be treated by transplantation and life-long immune suppression (2, 7, 22) but this therapy is limited due to the shortage of donor livers and high costs. Therefore, treatment of hepatic failure could be dramatically improved by development of methods for temporary hepatic support (2, 15). Thus, the use of a liver assist devices (LAD) has greater theoretic potential as a minimally intrusive therapy, as incorporated hepatocytes might provide additional metabolic capacity and physiologically active molecules important for recovery of native hepatic function (14).

However, concerns exist related to the use of liver assist devices: the feasibility and risk when the direct connection to the circulatory system, a reliable cell source; the structure, function, and viability of the parenchymal cells seeded in the device. The expected cell type used in LADs is clearly a human hepatocyte to support the systemic dysfunction that occurs after liver failure; other cell sources include porcine hepatocytes and lately stem cell-derived hepatocytes (1, 2, 12, 16, 19). However, a supportive cell type cocultured with hepatocytes in the device can aid in meeting these design criteria in a secondary manner. Ideally, a supportive cell could reduce the hepatic cell mass needed in a device by enhancing hepatocyte function ex vivo and enhance the preservability of parenchymal cells during storage. It is well known that heterotypic cell interactions are required for the phenotypic stability of the parenchymal cells as well as for proper liver function (13). Hepatocyte clusters naturally are invaded by matrix depositing stellate cells, followed by growing endothelial cells that form capillaries (20), restoring normal liver architecture. The interactions between hepatocytes and other liver nonparenchymal cells leading to liver morphogenesis and their use in LADs have yet to be elucidated. Several studies have highlighted the importance of hepatic function of hepatocytes when supported with nonparenchymal liver cells (10, 11).

In this study, we sought to determine if supportive cell types can influence the outcome of liver assist devices. We developed a new type of bioartificial device that allows a three-dimensional cell culture based on a poly-amino-urethan (PAU)-coated, nonwoven polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fabric previously developed by our laboratory (4, 17, 18). Here, we demonstrate the ability of liver nonparenchymal cells, including endothelial, stellate, and cholangyocytes, to support liver sinusoid formation in an in vitro Matrigel assay. We inoculated these liver organoids in a liver assist device that was intraperitoneally implanted for a week. The formed organoids resembled sinusoid-like structures and retained albumin secretion, and drug metabolism capacities significantly greater than that of cultures consisting in only hepatocytes. Our ability to establish liver-like organization and function offers the possibility to study the heterotypic cell-cell interactions shown to be important for proper liver function, under carefully controlled conditions, and suggests a new method to design large-scale liver assist devices in the future.

Materials and Methods

Hepatocyte Isolation

Mouse primary hepatocytes were isolated from Balb/c mice (Nippon CLEA, Tokyo, Japan) weighing 25 g by a two-step collagenase digestion method, as previously reported (18). Cell viability was assessed by a trypan blue dye exclusion method in all cases. In the hepatocyte isolation and culture experiments, the isolated hepatocytes, of which viabilities were more than 90%, were used in all cases. In all groups, hepatocytes were seeded onto Matrigel (500 μl; BD, Becton Dickinson) that was thawed overnight at 4°C, layered on ice-cold 12-well culture plates, and incubated at 37°C for 30 min to allow the gel to form. Hepatocytes were cultured with Williams' E solution (Sigma, St. Louis, MO) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (Sigma), 1 × 10⁷ mol/L insulin (GibcoBRL), 25 ng/L EGF (Sigma), 1 × 10⁶ mol/L dexamethasone (Sigma), 1 × 10⁵ U/L penicillin, and 100 mg/L streptomycin (Sigma) and deleted variant of HGF (100 ng/ml; kindly provided by Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). In the following experiments, cell cultures functions were measured per unit of time per milligram of cellular protein at each time point. The data were analyzed from four independent experiments in mouse hepatocyte cultures; each of the experiments had three samples.

Establishment of Human Liver Nonparenchymal Cell Lines

The human endothelial (TMNK-1) (9) cell line was generated from commercially available normal human liver endothelial cells (Dinippon Sumitomo Parma, Cat. No. CS-ABI-566) by transduction with recombinant retrovirus vectors SSR#69, which transfers expression of the simian virus 40 large T antigen (SV40T), and SSR#197, which transfers human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression. The human stellate (TWNT-1) (21) cell line was generated from human LI 90 cells, which were derived from a mesenchymal liver tumor removed from a 55-year-old Japanese woman. The cells were transduced with the SSR#197 recombinant retroviral vector, which transfers human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression. The human cholangiocyte (MMNK-1) (8) cell line was generated from OUMS-21 cells, which were derived from human fetal liver by transduction with the SSR#197 recombinant retrovirus vector (hTERT). Human liver nonparenchymal cell lines were maintained in T75 tissue culture flasks (Falcon) in 10 ml of DMEM (GibcoBRL/Invitrogen, Co.) and 10% FBS (Cansera International, Inc, Ontario, Canada) and 1% penicillin/streptomycin (100 U/ml penicillin, 0.1 mg/ml streptomycin).

Liver Organoid Engineering on Matrigel

Primary fresh isolated mice hepatocytes (7.5 × 10⁵) were seeded in each well of a six-well plate (Corning Costar, Action, MA). A combination of same cell number of each human liver nonparenchymal cell line (endothelial, cholangiocyte, and stellate cells) were layered on top of the gel at various ratios (combination of human liver nonparenchymal cells: hepatocytes at 1:1, 1:3, and 1:5) in 2 ml of hepatocyte medium previously described. Coculture medium was replaced every 24 h and the spent medium was stored at −80°C for subsequent analysis.

Morphological Assessment

During the time of culture, morphological appearance of liver organoids was observed using a phase contrast microscope (Olympus CK40-SL Japan). On days 1 and 5, the cells inoculated onto Matrigel and on day 7 after been implanted into the LADs were subjected to micro-structural analysis using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) (Hitachi S-2300, Hitachi Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) and transitional electron microscope (TEM) (Hitachi H-7100, Hitachi Co. Ltd.). For SEM, the samples were washed with PBS followed by fixation with 2% glutaraldehyde for 2 h at 37°C, and gently washed with PBS. The samples were then postfixed with osmium tetraoxide for 2 h and dehydration was accomplished using a graded series of ethanol (50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 99%). The samples were then dried at critical point for 2 h in absolute alcohol and mounted on an aluminum stub and sputter-coated with gold before viewing under SEM. For TEM, the cells were fixed, first in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M PB, and then in 1.0% OsO₄ in 0.1 M PB (pH 7.2). The samples were dehydrated through graded concentrations of ethanol and embedded in Epon. Ultrathin sections of the samples were double-stained with uranyl, and observed under TEM. Ten different areas were randomly chosen and examined.

Cell Death Assay

Cell death assay was assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release into the culture medium with the CytoTox 96 nonradioactive cytotoxicity assay kit (Promega). Maximal LDH release was measured on days 3 and 5. LDH values for different coculture ratios (1:1, 1:3, 1:5) were expressed as optical density units (OD) during the time of evaluation.

Evaluation of Hepatic Metabolic and Synthetic Capacities of the Liver Organonid

At different time points of culture, hepatocytes cultured on collagen or unwoven PTFE were subjected to metabolic and synthetic tests. Ammonium sulfate (0.56 mM) and lidocaine (1 mg/ml) were added to individual wells of 12-well plates and the amount of each substrate remaining in the media after culture for 4 h was measured. The ammonia concentration was determined using a Fuji Dri-Chem slide (Fuji Co., Tokyo, Japan) and concentration of lidocaine was measured by SRL (Tokyo, Japan). Four hours after ammonia loading, 10 μm of culture medium was collected for urea synthesis, as previously reported. Albumin secretion into the culture medium for 24 h was measured by an albumin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit for mouse albumin secretion into the culture medium for 24 h ELISA kit (Shibayagi; Gunma, Japan) was used.

Construction of the Implantable LADs

The LAD was constructed using a polyethylene-vinyl alcohol membrane (30 nm pore size), which inhibits passage of immune competent cells and C3 and thus provides a degree of immune isolation, and a PAU-coated PTFE nonwoven fabric, which provides a substrate for cell adhesion. The 15 × 15-mm PTFE fabric was covered with an EVAL membrane and layered with a piece of polyester supporting fabric of equal size to generate an inside volume of 1.125 ml. A cell injection port was then attached. To facilitate angiogenesis around the implanted module, both surface layers of the LAD module were coated with gelatinized FGF-2 prior to IP implantation.

Transplantation Experiments

To examine the feasibility to transplant in the intraperitoneal cavity, this implantable LAD containing primary hepatocytes only and the hepatic organoid on mice with hepatectomized livers, 8-week-old female Balb/c mice (n = 6) (Nippon CLEA) underwent 50% hepatectomy to induce hepatic regeneration. All the following procedures performed on the mice were approved by the Okayama University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Both sides of a LAD module were coated by 2 mg of gelatinized FGF-2 microspheres as previously described (17). Directly after hepatectomy, a LAD module containing only hepatocytes (5 × 10⁶ cells) or hepatic organoid [5 × 10⁶ hepatoctes, 1 × 10⁶ of each cell human liver nonparenchymal cell line with 200 μl Matrigel (BD Biosciences) and 500 μl culture medium into the BAL module through a subcutaneously fixed cell injection port] was implanted in the intraperitoneal cavity and the abdominal wall was closed. After 7 days animals were sacrificed and LADs were extracted and ultrastructural analysis was performed.

Statistical Analyses

Mean values are presented with SDs. A two-tailed Student's t-test was used to calculate the significance of difference in mean values.

Results

Coculture of Hepatocytes and Nonparenchymal Cells Formed Sinusoid-Like Structures and Maintained Viability

Matrigel is a commonly used cell culture subtract assay and has been shown to preserve hepatocyte function in vitro (10). In order to study the interaction between nonparenchymal cells and hepatocytes, we seeded either mouse hepatocytes alone, or mouse hepatocytes and the human liver nonparenchymal cell lines on Matrigel. The endothelial, stellate, and cholangiocyte cells rapidly formed tube-like structures (Fig. 1a-d). Freshly isolated mouse (n = 7) hepatocytes were regrouped and migrated around the preestablished vascular tubes and remained adherent to them (Fig. 1a-d). We never observed hepatocyte migration away from the nearest tube-like structure. When hepatocytes alone were plated on Matrigel in the same base medium but in the absence of human liver nonparenchymal cells, they failed to aggregate in caused formation of ducts along the plates, and they formed just independent spheroids without any connection on to the other (n = 10) (Fig. 1e-h). These results were corroborated by ultrastructural studies using a scanning electron microscope; when using cocultures of hepatocytes with liver nonparenchymal cells interconnected tube-like structures were observed (Fig. 1i, j) and when only hepatocytes were used duct-like structures failed to formed (Fig. 1k, l).

Figure 1.

Morphological transformations in cocultures of hepatocytes and human liver nonparenchymal cells. Phase contrast microscopy. Time lapse of hepatocytes and human liver nonparenchymal cells (endothelial and stellate cells and cholangiocytes) migration toward endothelial tube-like structures (a–d) or only hepatocytes (e–h) cultured on Matrigel at 0 h (a, e), 24 h (b, f), 72 h (c, g), and 120 h (d, h). Hepatocytes selectively migrate toward and adhere to endothelial tube-like structures, creating sinusoid-like structures. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images after 120 h of coculture of hepatocytes and human liver nonparenchymal cells (i, j) or only hepatocytes (k, l). Note the difference of formations, where cocultures induced organotypic structures similar to liver sinosoide-like structures with tight and interconnected cells. LDH release study (m) revealed a significant maintenance of cell viability when evaluated by at different ratios of cells indicating better viability during the time (optical density units, O.D. units). Scale bars: (a–h) 200 μm.

The morphogenetic patterns formed in these cocultures when placed in Matrigel suggest that hepatocytes alone have innate tendencies to form sinusoid-like structures. The photographs presented are representative of all the experiments performed. Moreover, to determine the best coculture conditions of human liver nonparenchymal cells and fresh isolated hepatocytes, cells were simultaneously seeded at different ratios (1:1, 1:3, and 1:5) of liver nonparenchymal cells to hepatocytes. In a cell death assay LDH for viability of the hepatic organoid during the time, absorbance of an LDH regent was compared among the different ratios to evaluate cell death among the cells in coculture according to the O.D. units. Cocultures with ratio 1:3 maintained significantly better cell viability compared to other coculture ratios at days 3 and 5 after seeding (Fig. 1m).

Ultrastructural Analysis of Liver Organoids Reveals Sinusoid-Like Structures

Images obtained by TEM showed that the sinusoid structures were composed of cells with differentiated hepatocyte morphology, including abundant glycogen granules, extensive rough and numerous endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and bile canaliculi between the hepatocytes with mature junctional complexes, with a thick and electron-dense layer of extracellular matrix with several fibroblastic type cells residing in the matrix and around the hepatocytes (Fig. 2a–d). Microvilli extended along the seams between hepatocytes as well as along the bile canalicular spaces (Fig. 2c). TEM images of the encapsulated hepatocyte–endothelial structures revealed several long endothelial cells, and neighboring hepatocyte plate-like structures (Fig. 2c, d). Ultrastructurally, the hepatocytes at the capsule periphery appeared well preserved after 7 days of in vitro culture, whereas those in the structure interior had enlarged peroxisomes.

Figure 2.

Ultrastructural analysis and functional capacities of the engineered liver organoid. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) study revealed, as shown at low power electron micrographs (a–d), that acinar structures were formed after 120 h in cocultures of freshly isolated hepatocytes and human liver nonparenchymal cells. Evident are the duct-like canalicular structures in the center of the acinar structure. Cells contain extensive endoplasmic reticulum, and numerous mitochondria, endothelial, and stellate cells covered the hepatocytes, forming sinusoid-like structures. N, nucleus; M, mitochondria; RER, golgi elements; C, canaliculi; Mv, microvilli; Ld, lipid droplets; Ed, endothelial cell. Original magnification (a, d): 2500x; (b, c): 7000x. Engineering of a liver organoid using freshly isolated hepatocyte and human liver nonparenchymal cells significantly enhanced ammonia-metabolizing activity 4 h after loading ammonium sulfate in the culture medium at the final concentration of 0.56 mM ammonia when compared to the same hepatocyte cell mass alone cultured on Matrigel (e). After adding lidocaine (1 mg/ml) in the culture medium, metabolic rates were compared after 4 h. The engineered liver organoid significantly metabolized lidocaine compared to hepatocytes only cultured on Matrigel. Significantly better production of albumin was observed in the engineered liver organoid (per 10⁶ hepatocytes) cultured onto Matrigel. ∗p < 0.05 for engineered liver organoid versus only hepatocytes.

Liver Organoids Maintain Liver Function

Hepatocytes in monoculture are known to exhibit poor metabolic function when seeded on collagen-coated surfaces (3). However, aggregation of hepatocytes around vascular tubes preserved hepatocyte function during short-term culture. Significantly higher metabolic capacities of ammonia were observed in cocultures of human liver nonparenchymal cells and hepatocytes (1: 3) than those seeded only with hepatocytes (n = 3) (Fig. 2e). Percent of metabolized ammonia at the end of the culture period at a 1:3 ratio of human liver nonparenchymal cells/hepatocytes was: day 1 liver organoid 60 ± 4.5, only hepatocytes 60 ± 7.5, day 4 liver organoid 64 ± 6.5, only hepatocytes 42 ± 9, day 7 liver organoid 60 ± 7.2, only hepatocytes 32.6 ± 5 (Fig. 2e). Lidocaine metabolism was used as another indicator of hepatocyte metabolism and showed similar trends between both groups; liver organoids led to a stable drug metabolism over the 7 days evaluated: day 1 liver organoid 50.6 ± 6.4, only hepatocytes 46 ± 7, day 4 liver organoid 46 ± 9, only hepatocytes 29 ± 4.5, day 7 liver organoid 43 ± 8, only hepatocytes 22 ± 4.5 (Fig. 2f). Without coculture, hepatocytes failed to maintain drug metabolism activities over time and had no significant metabolic function. Overall, these in vitro studies suggest that human liver nonparenchymal cells can support and stabilize hepatocyte function. However, long-term studies should be done in the future.

The daily albumin production of the liver organoids was compared for 7 days for the two different culture conditions. Albumin production was significantly maintained in the sinusoid-like structures compared to the cultured hepatocytes only (n = 3) (Fig. 2g). In contrast, aggregates consisting in only hepatocytes decreased its albumin secretion significantly by day 5 (data are means ± SD). After a week of culture, hepatocyte spheroids began to collapse and brake, leading to loss of specific hepatic function; however, sinusoid-like structure cocultures maintained hepatic functions at high levels for longer periods of time (data not shown).

Liver Organoid Ultrastructural Characterization After Implantation in LAD Into Hepatectomized Mice

In order to evaluate the survival, growth, and morphological analysis of the engineered liver organoid inside of a liver assist device, we implanted a LAD in the intraperitoneal cavity in 50% hepatectomized mice. We hypothesize that the regenerative effect of the hepatectomy could induce benefic effects for the liver organoid contained in the implanted LAD. Notably, after 72 h of coculture we transplanted the engineered liver organoid and after 7 days showed organized tissue in the study using SEM, (Fig. 3a–i), which was consistent with the findings observed in phase contrast microscopy in vitro. Surprisingly, SEM revealed a sophisticated organotypic structures occurring in three dimensions during liver development, such as ducts, plates, and spaces between plates reminiscent of sinusoidal areas, the large monolayer patches of liver tissue ranging from 1 to 5 mm in diameter (Fig. 3a–f). These structures appeared at the rate of 7–10 per LAD. These patches had a cytoarchitecture strikingly similar to the sections of liver acinus. Complete canalicular networks developed throughout the entire length of each of the plates. Occasional ducts were also present in random locations along the plate structures. TEM revealed that the engineered liver organoids showed Gap junction between the cells (Fig. 3g) and well-developed canaliculi (Fig. 3 h). The images are typical for hepatocytes with most features present in liver, including abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, microbodies, and mature junction complexes, with glycogen granules (Fig. 3i). The photographs presented are representative of all the experiments performed. In contrast, transplanted hepatic spheroids did not survive enough to be analyzed.

Figure 3.

Ultrastructural analysis by electron microscopy of the engineered liver organoid after LAD implantation in mice. Scanning electron micrograph of the engineered liver tissue formed in the implantable LAD after 7 days of intraperitoneal implantation in 50% hepatectomized mice (n = 5) (a–f). Scale bars: (a, b) 20 μm, (c, e) 50 μm, (d) 100 μm, (f) 500 μm. Evident are the duct-like canalicular structures in the center of the acinar structures. Sophisticated liver organotypic structures similar to natural sinusoid-like structures are shown. By transmission electron microscope (TEM) cells demonstrated extensive numerous and healthy mitochondria, abundant microvilli (Mv), extensive rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), mitochondria (M), and glycogen granules can be seen (Gly). Tight junctions (TJ) delimit a small bile canalicular space (C) between the cells and the presence of cells with lipid droplets (Ld). Original magnification: (g) 2500X, (h) 8000X, (i) 30,000x.

Discussion

There is evidence suggesting that interaction between endothelium and surrounding tissue plays an intimate role in tissue differentiation, maintenance, and organization (10, 13, 14, 20); therefore, bioartificial devices that incorporate primary cells for therapeutic use may require nonparenchymal cells to support tissue-specific functions ex vivo. In this study, we have combined the nonparenchymal cell types that can be critical to the formation of liver structures that may have a potential long-term efficacy of a liver assist device.

The stabilization of hepatocyte function by fibroblasts has been previously demonstrated (6); also, there are few reports describing the fate of hepatocytes cocultured with bone marrow-derived stem cells (5) but the actual organization of endothelial vascular structures coated by hepatocytes, stellate cells, and cholangiocytes is unique to our system. These results may solely rely on the supportive secretome of the human liver nonparenchymal cell lines that have been previously studied. Our sinusoid-like structures retained drug metabolism activity and albumin secretion in vitro longer than when cultured alone on Matrigel. Hepatocyte only spheroids cultured under the same conditions fail after 72 h.

We previously reported that an implantable liver assist device seeded with ES cell-derived hepatocytes could provide a short-term survival benefit to mice undergoing acute liver failure when compared to an acellular device (17). In addition, we have shown that molecules secreted by human liver nonparenchymal cells lines are bioactive and can modulate the hepatic differentiation of ES cell-derived hepatocytes (17, 19). However, these results were predominantly due to trophic support provided by the differentiation process and were assessed with a short-term study endpoint.

We observed that early hepatocellular metabolism in basal conditions became stabilized with human liver nonparenchymal cell lines. These in vitro results suggested that nonparenchymal cells might utilize mechanisms to stabilize hepatocellular function, although this warrants further investigation for long-term culture. Recent studies by our group have demonstrated that human liver nonparenchymal-derived molecules include many growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines that collectively can enhance hepatocyte replication and protect against hepatocyte death (17). A comprehensive proteomic analysis of the conditioned medium is under way to identify the active ingredient(s) within human liver nonparenchymal conditioned medium.

We next determined if the resulting liver organoid could be a substitute in the development of a coculture LAD. Post-LAD implantation, only composite devices showed healthy tissue-like structures growth. Future experiments should focus on the reduction of total cell numbers seeded in the bioreactor to minimize the overall cell number of the devices, which can allow for smaller devices and decreased dead volume that is outside of the patient and in the perfusion circuit. More importantly, given the observations in this study, we speculate that the development of human-sized bioartificial liver devices can potentially reduce the number of primary hepatocytes or allow for “less functional” hepatocytes (e.g., porcine or human hepatoma cells) to be used for future LADs.

In conclusion, these findings demonstrate the importance of nonparenchymal cells in the cellular composition of LADs. We therefore suggest that this system and the resulting sinusoid-like structures may serve as a unique in vitro model of the liver for tissue engineering applications. This experimental evidence supports the notion of LADs containing cocultures of human liver nonparenchymal cells and hepatocytes as a potential destination therapy for acute liver failure. We visualize cultures of perfused liver sinusoids suitable for the study of pathologic hepatic microcirculation and the drug discovery studies in the pharmaceutical industry.

Footnotes

Acknowledgments

We thank the support of the American Liver Foundation to A.S.G. Funding from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) K99DK083556-01 to A.S.G supported this work.

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