2026-04-01 東京大学
培養肝細胞が分泌した胆汁成分の連続的排泄を可能とする新規肝細胞培養デバイス
＜関連情報＞
- https://www.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/press/pr2026-04-01-001
- https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-physical-science/fulltext/S2666-3864(26)00135-9
マイクロチャネルパターンデバイス上の極性化肝細胞からの胆汁の連続排出 Continuous bile excretion from polarized hepatocytes on a microchannel-patterned device
Fumiya Tokito ∙ Hiroshi Arakawa ∙ Yuya Nakazono ∙ … ∙ Takeshi Katsuda ∙ Masaki Nishikawa ∙ Yasuyuki Sakai
Cell Reports Physical Science Published:March 31, 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrp.2026.103229
Highlights
- Microchannel-patterned device enables continuous bile drainage from hepatocytes
- Hepatocyte polarization via CLDN1 increases bile metabolite yield 1.8-fold
- Device collects 13.7-fold higher bile metabolite concentrations than previous methods
Summary
Continuous bile excretion is crucial for maintaining liver physiology. However, current in vitro liver culture models lack a bile drainage system, thus preventing the continuous bile excretion observed in vivo. In this study, we aim to recapitulate continuous bile excretion in the liver by developing a microchannel-patterned device through microfabrication technology. Using this device, we successfully achieved the continuous drainage and collection of bile acids from primary hepatocytes via microchannels. Furthermore, the polarization of hepatocytes via CLDN1 facilitates the formation of “open” bile canaliculi between the hepatocytes and the culture surface, increasing the amount of biliary metabolites excreted into the microchannels by 1.8-fold. Finally, the concentration of biliary metabolites collected using this device is 13.7-fold greater than that obtained with conventional bile recovery methods. This hepatocyte culture platform represents a major step toward the recapitulation of liver physiology, with applications in pharmacology and liver disease research.
