Use of a hepatocyte-spheroid deformation agent and hepatocyte production process for spheroid formation

摘要

An agent for the formation of spheroids of hepatocytes, which comprises a covalently lipid-bound glycosaminoglycan, and a culturing process for the formation of the spheroids. Hepatocytes spheroids can be formed by culturing hepatocytes in a culture vessel using a lipid-bound glycosaminoglycan as a culture substrate. Floating spheroids of hepatocytes can be obtained efficiently, which are capable of maintaining liver-specific functions and of keeping the spheroid form stably for a prolonged period of time.