Abstract

Fundamental Consideration Points For the Liver Organ-on-a-Chip

Seiichi Ishida, Section Chief, Division of Pharmacology, National Institute of Health Sciences

Hepatocytes, the main parenchymal cell in the liver, has many functions and is widely used in in vitro cell-based assays. However, maintaining their physiological function is not easy. Same is the case for hepatic stellate cells, which are involved in hepatic fibrosis. Reconstitution of complicated physiological structure of the liver is thought to be necessary to reproduce adequate hepatic functions in in vitro culture model. Liver organ-on-a-chip is expected to solve these difficulties. Fundamental consideration points for the construction of liver orga-on-a-chip are discussed, with the introductory description of basic liver physiology, in the presentation.