BioIVT has launched the HEPATOMUNE kit, a long-term, stable, in vitro model for evaluating immune-related and inflammation-mediated liver injury.
Hepatomune cultures are composed of hepatocytes, stromal cells and Kupffer cells in a tri-culture, mimicking the physiological microenvironment of the liver, and providing an optimal model for studying cytokines and cytokine modulators. Cytokines have important roles in chemically induced tissue damage repair, in cancer development and progression, in the control of cell replication and apoptosis, and in the modulation of immune reactions such as sensitisation.1
Hepatomune kit applications range from studying liver physiology, toxicity, and inflammation mechanisms; through investigating liver diseases, such as NAFLD and NASH; to assessing drug candidates’ long-term hepatotoxicity or protein and small molecule drug-drug interactions.
Hepatomune cultures demonstrate several important characteristics. They have an in-vivo like morphology, express liver-specific genes, exhibit transporter activity and possess functional phase I/II drug metabolizing enzymes. They also secrete diverse liver-specific products and feature functional Kupffer cells, which respond to inflammatory stimuli and can perform phagocytosis. Adding to their versatility, Hepatomune cultures remain viable for up to 10 days.
BioIVT provides Hepatomune cultures in ready-to-use kits, which offer the cells in 24- and 96-well plates, together with the necessary maintenance and application media.
“We are delighted to add Hepatomune kits to our portfolio of tools which provide our clients with a broader array of hepatic tools to study new drugs and how they impact the liver,” said BioIVT Senior Vice President, ADME-Tox Dr. Chris Black. “Hepatomune kits complement our Hepatopac products and give researchers a unique hepatic inflammation model.”
Image credit: Lucas Vasques
1Foster JR. The functions of cytokines and their uses in toxicology. Int J Exp Pathol. 2001;82(3):171-192. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2613.2001.iep0082-0171-x https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2517710/