TABLE 1.
Summary of characteristics of cell types used in human 3D hepatic models.
| Cell type | Source | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| PHHs | Fresh or cryopreserved healthy human liver tissue | Limited proliferative capacity in vitro |
| Batch-specific property | ||
| Possessing mature hepatocyte’s function | ||
| hASC-HLCs | Human liver progenitor cells | Preserved donor’s genetic background |
| Possessing hepatocyte’s function | ||
| hESC-HLCs | Human embryos at morula or blastocyst stage | Possessing fetal-like hepatocyte maturity |
| Less age-related genetic change | ||
| Showed more similarity to pericentral hepatocytes | ||
| hiPSC-HLCs | Reprogrammed human somatic cells | Preserved donor’s genetic background |
| Unlimited resources | ||
| Possessing fetal-like hepatocyte maturity | ||
| HepG2 cell line | Well-differentiated human HCC | Unlimited proliferation |
| Tumorigenic | ||
| More resembling fetal hepatocytes | ||
| Huh-7 cell line | Unlimited proliferation | |
| Tumorigenic | ||
| Impaired hepatocyte’s function | ||
| Possessing more tumor phenotypes | ||
| HepaRG cell line | Chronic hepatitis C–induced human HCC | Unlimited proliferation and tumorigenic |
| More resembling PHH functions than HepG2 and Huh-7 cell lines | ||
| Possessing properties of hepatic progenitors |
PHHs, primary human hepatocytes; hASCs, human adult stem cells; hiPSCs, human induced pluripotent stem cells; hESCs, human embryonic stem cells; HLCs, hepatocyte-like cells; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma.