Advances toward hepatic tissue engineering

Regarding the liver, the challenge of the use of tissue engineering is still far from won, being the organ composed by several histotypes organized in a highly complex 3D architecture. A major advance could come from the use of stem cells and of a correctly instructive microenvironment. We tested Resident Liver Stem Cells (RLSC) and Liver Endothelial Cells (LivEC) (cell lines obtained in our lab) in orthotopic transplantations and in culture on collagen/hydrogel with different grade of stiffness. RLSCs colonized receiving livers differentiating into hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells. LivEC integrated endogenous vasculature both in large vessels and in sinusoids. RLSC, while on low stiffness (04 kPa) early differentiated into hepatocytes, when grown on high stiffness (80 kPa) maintained stemness features. Conclusions: We dispose of cell models useful: i) to study liver cell/cell interactions and differentiation; ii) to set up protocols of hepatic regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.