Expression of a liver-specific function by a hepatoblastoma cell line cocultured with three-dimensional endothelialized tubes in collagen gels.

A human hepatoblastoma cell line, Hep G2, showed albumin production activity, a hepatic function, when cocultured with three-dimensional endothelialized tubes in collagen gels. The albumin production rate of the collagen-based liver-like constructs increased with increasing length of the endothelialized tube in the construct.