The drug metabolizing enzyme activity of human liver progenitor cells in gel culture

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25860124
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Medical pharmacy
• Research Institution: Teikyo Heisei University
• Principal Investigator: Ohno Maki 帝京平成大学, 薬学部, 講師 (80366765)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 薬物代謝酵素

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Primary human hepatocytes are used extensively to study drug-metabolizing enzymes such as the cytochrome P450 enzymes. However, the activities of these enzymes decrease rapidly during culture. Thus, a more functional culture system is required to obtain the usually high levels of activity and regulation ability of drug metabolizing systems. In the present study, hepatic progenitor cells were isolated and cultured, and a mixed culture system with endothelial cells was constructed in the gel. In the gel, hepatic progenitor cells formed spheroid, and the hepatocyte function increased in comparison with the monolayered culture. Ｗhen the culture supernatant of endothelial cells was added in the gel, the drug metabolizing enzyme activity increased.

Free Research Field

薬物代謝