Table 3.

Advantages and limitations of cells used in liver-on-chips.

Cell Type	Advantages	Limitations
Primary hepatocytes (human, rat)	Liver intrinsic characteristics, including phase I and II metabolic enzyme activity, glucose metabolism, ammonia detoxification	Losing liver specific function; unsuitable for long-term; high cost; donor variation, difficult isolation
Hepatic-derived cell lines (HepG2, HepaRG, C3A)	Unlimited lifespan; easily manipulated; stable phenotype; essential for drug metabolism and toxicity response.	Drug reaction are inaccurate; low metabolic competence and rapid loss of expression of liver-specific enzymes/transporters.
Stem cell induces hepatocytes	A stable source of hepatocytes; liver organoid; stable functions including albumin secretion, liver-specific gene expression, urea production and metabolic activity.	Hardly manipulated; required specific induce factor; high cost; insufficient maturate.