Genetically engineered hepatocytes as a capable application for in vitro liver cell systems

Background: The use of primary human hepatocytes (PHH) in biomedical research is still considered as the gold standard. Their application possibilities encompass identifications of pathophysiological alterations and new biochemical pathways in liver diseases, e.g. steatosis. The main problems are the limited availability of liver tissue and donor variability. Therefore the development of alternative liver models has gained a lot of interest in recent years. Beside hepatic cell lines and stem cell derived hepatocyte like cells, genetically engineered cells have become a new promising approach. Aim of the present…