A linear shear model of cell viability loss during hepatocyte transplantation

Abstract

Improving the process of cell injection during hepatocyte transplantation requires an understanding of the causal relationships that shear, direct contact cells with a solid surface, and cell deformation have on cell viability loss. A linear shear model was used to model this loss of cell viability during their movement on a solid surface as part of the injection step of hepatocyte transplantation. Rat hepatocytes were studied under linear shear using two parallel plates, with a ”tight” condition that had a 25 μm gap, and a ”loose” gap condition with a > 25 μm gap, to determine the effects of cell deformation, and simulate cell viability loss during injection. Cell morphology and deformation were also observed using time-lapse images. Direct contact with a solid surface is deleterious for cells, and live cells became deformed under shear stress until they lost viability. The cell size could decrease or increase during deformation, and a loss of viability could occur due to a loss of membrane integrity or cell rupture. The space limitations in the tight gap could prevent cell expansion, which delayed the process of cell viability loss. In summary, preventing the direct contact of hepatocytes with a solid surface is recommended to improve the cell injection process during transplantation.

Keywords

• cell viability loss
• simple shear
• cell deformation
• cell shrinkage
• cell expansion
• accidental cell death
• mechanically induced accidental cell death