Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Liver fibrosis (LF) is a progressive and increasingly prevalent condition, yet current therapeutic options remain limited. This underscores the growing demand for advanced three-dimensional (3D) preclinical models that better recapitulate the complex pathophysiology of human LF and overcome the limitations of conventional systems. Although a number of in vitro models have been proposed in recent years, many still rely on two-dimensional (2D) hepatocyte cultures, which fail to represent the multicellular interactions and spatial architecture of the fibrotic liver. In contrast, 3D in vitro models, including spheroids, organoids, and liver-on-a-chip (LoC) platforms, offer more physiologically relevant microenvironments, enabling improved disease modeling and patient-specific drug testing. In this review, we summarize current bioengineering strategies for constructing 3D LF models and highlight their advantages, limitations, and future directions for clinical translation.
Source: Biomimetics
Authors: Jae Eun Lee, Yu-Jeong Lee, Jeong-Kee Yoon
Institutions: Seoul National University, Chung-Ang University
Language: English
Subfield: Hepatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,654
Award: G748847281
OpenAlex ID: W4414419371