Preparation and culture of hepatocyte on gelatin microcarriers.

Porous gelatin microcarriers having a diameter of 80-100 microm were prepared by the suspension method using toluene as the oil phase. Rat hepatocytes were cultured on gelatin and cytodexIII microcarriers. The cells retained its spherical shape, which is similar in vivo, and showed no morphological changes to the flat state. Hepatocyte aggregates on microcarriers maintained higher metabolic functions than monolayer cells. Pore size of microcarrier plays an important role in the attachment and metabolic function of cells in culture. Phase-contrast micrograph and cell activity showed that hepatocytes cultures on gelatin microcarrier of <1 microm pore size is better than that of 5-10 microm.