Figure 3. Concentration profiles of an ESPs-mimicking molecule in the COL1 hydrogel, media, and HuCCT1 cell aggregates.

ESPs at a concentration of 4,000 ng/ml were delivered directly into the bile duct channel (left) or indirectly to form a gradient (right). Direct application resulted in a high concentration of ESPs in the bile duct channel in 24 hours (left). In the gradient application, ESPs formed a gradient and stimulated HuCCT1 cells attached onto the COL1 ECM in 24 hours (right).