3D Liver Microtissues Composed of Human Primary Hepatocytes and a Mixture of Human Primary Hepatocyte, Liver Endothelial Cells and Kupffer Cells

There is a need to establish in vitro predictive assays for drug discovery and development. The NCATS 3D Tissue Bioprinting Laboratory is assembling a portfolio of 3D tissue models in microplate format that can be used for drug testing.  In order to accelerate the creation of a ready to use tissue platforms to be able to rapidly respond to health care crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic, the 3D Tissue Bioprinting laboratory develops its own tissue models. In addition, this system also looks for opportunities within 3D tissue models that are commercially available, well validated and ready to use.  There is a contractor identified by scientists at the 3D Tissue Bioprinting Laboratory (3DTBL) as a company that produces live functional 3D liver microtissues, in a ready to use HTS compatible multiwell plate format. NCATS will use these 3D liver microtissues composed of human primary hepatocytes and a mixture of human primary hepatocyte, liver endothelial cells and Kupffer cells to study viral infectivity, effects of viral infectivity on liver function biomarkers, and effect of anti-viral compounds on viral infection.