Evaluation of Pectin as a Material for Hepatocyte Encapsulation

Over the past several decades, many in vitro three-dimensional hepatocyte culture systems have been established, including collagen sandwiches, Matrigel™ cultures and microencapsulation systems. In addition, several studies have shown that materials with galactose ligands conjugated to their surfaces can improve hepatocyte attachment and allow the cells to maintain most of their functions. Pectin is a heterogeneous polymer of α-(1–4)-D-galacturonic acid with varying degrees of esterification and neutral sugar substitution and a variable molecular weight. In our work, we utilized pectin as a matrix to encapsulate hepatocytes. We evaluated the cellular functions of hepatocytes encapsulated in pectin and compared these functions with those of cells encapsulated in alginate. Based on the results of this work, we concluded that encapsulated HepG2 cells in pectin gel had a higher viability and superior urea synthesis function than cells in alginate microcapsules.