Abstract

A suitable alternative strategy for liver transplantation is the use of nanofibrous scaffolds together with stem cells. In this study, a random hybrid of poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) was used as a three-dimensional (3D) culture for differentiation of hepatocyte-like cells and compared with routine culture (two-dimensional 2D). The expression of the endodermal marker, forkhead box A2 (FOXA2), was assessed on Day 3 and the hepatic markers; albumin (ALB), alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), and cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) were evaluated on Day 18 using quantitative polymerase chain reaction qPCR. As well as, ALB, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake were evaluated using immunocytochemistry; moreover, periodic acid-Schiff and Oil Red were done by cell staining. In addition, AFP and urea production were evaluated by chemiluminescence and colorimetric assays. Light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed changes in the cells in 2D and 3D models. The gene expression of hepatic markers was significantly higher in the 3D cultures. In addition, immunocytochemistry and cell staining showed that ALB, AFP, LDL-uptake, periodic acid-Schiff, and Oil Red were expressed in both cells derived on 2D and 3D. Furthermore, the evaluation of AFP and urea secretion was significantly different between 2D and 3D strategies. These findings suggest that functionally cells cultured on a PLLA/PCL scaffold may be suitable for cell therapy and regenerative medicine.