Ma. Vanessa B.

Pagayon BSN III-A

Scientists Grow Human Liver Tissue to Be Used for Transplantation
ScienceDaily (Jan. 21, 2011) A new study reports on the success oI growing human liver cells
on resorbable scaIIolds made Irom material similar to surgical sutures. Researchers suggest that
this liver tissue could be used in place oI donor organs during liver transplantation or during the
bridge period until a suitable donor is available Ior patients with acute liver Iailure. Findings oI
this study appear in the February issue oI Liver Transplantation, a journal published by Wiley-
Blackwell on behalI oI the American Association Ior the Study oI Liver Diseases.
As oI January 2011, more than 16,000 Americans are on the waiting list to receive a suitable
liver according to data Irom the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. Liver cell
(hepatocyte) transplantation oIIers a possible solution in overcoming the organ shortage. In
addition, liver cells have excellent regenerative potential making liver cell transplantation a
viable therapeutic approach Ior patients with metabolic deIects or Iulminant hepatic Iailure as the
native liver is preserved while liver dysIunction may resolve as regeneration occurs.
Dr. Joerg-Matthias Pollok, Head oI the Laboratory Ior Tissue Engineering and Cell
Transplantation, Department oI Hepatobiliary and Transplantation Surgery at the University
Medical Center in Hamburg, Germany explains, "Currently isolated liver cells are used Ior liver
cell transplantation, but these cells suIIer during cell isolation and cryopreservation, which is one
reason there is limited success with this type oI transplant procedure." In applying their tissue
engineering approach, the German researchers were able to successIully create new liver tissue
providing a potential solution to the obstacles challenging liver cell transplantation.
The team isolated liver cells Irom 12 human liver specimens with a viability oI 82. AIter a
two-day culture period, liver cells Iormed tightly packed cellular aggregates, called spheroids,
and took on a liver-like appearance. Human liver cells were distributed across a three-
dimensional porous structure oI the polymer scaIIolding. From day two to Iour, the average
number oI spheroids more than doubled Irom 18 to 41 per visual Iield. "Our experimental model
represents a promising technique to culture human liver cells and prepare them Ior
transplantation on a biodegradable polymer scaIIold into the peritoneal cavity," concluded Dr.
Pollok. "Further studies are underway to conIirm our results and may ultimately oIIer viable
clinical options Ior liver cell transplantation in the Iuture."
A related editorial also published in Liver Transplantation this month acknowledges the huge
clinical potential Ior liver cell transplantation. Humphrey Hodgson, M.D., Irom the UCL
Medical School in London wrote that a number oI liver cell transplantation approaches have
been used in uncontrolled trials, but eIIective clinical protocols have not yet been established. He
noted that while no technique has emerged as a proven clinical approach, the use oI human rather
than rodent cells as demonstrated by Pollok et al. is an important step in advancing the science
behind liver cell transplantation.
Source:
[Link]

#eaction:
I certainly agree that this is another 'Eureka moment' by the German researchers. As it
stands, the isolated organ can be used to test new drugs, preventing disasters such as drug
toxicity and liver damage. Using lab-grown liver tissue would also reduce the number oI animal
experiments. Within Iive years, pieces oI artiIicial tissue could be used to repair livers damaged
by injury, disease, alcohol abuse and drug overdose. I also think that in just 15 years' time, entire
liver transplants could take place using organs grown in a lab. The development provides Iresh
hope Ior the millions oI people in dire need oI a new liver each year. There are currently a lot oI
patients waiting Ior a liver transplant - the type oI operation perIormed only in specialized
Iacilities and obviously costs a lot. However, in 2004, 72 people died waiting Ior a suitable donor
in England.
The collaboration oI experts Irom the US and the researchers made a way to enhance the
treatments available Ior patients with liver damage that needs liver transplantation. So Iar, tiny
pieces oI tissue, less than an inch in diameter have been created. In time, through this research it
could be possible to create larger and larger pieces oI liver tissue, eventually creating sections
capable oI being transplanted into sick patients.
The scientists believe that within two years the tissue could be used to test new drugs.
Currently, new drugs are tested in the test tube, beIore being tried out Iirst on animals and then
on humans. Using lab-grown human tissue could Iind out any diIIiculties beIore new drugs are
given to humans. It could prevent the situations that may happen in which patients have a
massive reaction to the drugs being tested. Using mini-livers could also cut down on the number
oI animal experiments. This technique would take advantage oI the liver's remarkable ability to
quickly regenerate itselI. The patient would be hooked up to an artiIicial liver which would take
over all the Iunctions usually carried out by their own liver. With several 'dialysis' sessions a day
over a period oI several months, the patient's own liver would be aIIorded enough resting time to
regenerate and repair any damage. Alternatively, vital months could be bought in search Ior a
suitable donor Ior transplant. In many cases, this would replace the need Ior an entire liver
transplant.
Culturing oI liver cells is also more ethically acceptable than the use oI embryonic stem
cells - a process that leads to the death oI the embryo. The breakthrough has been welcomed by
liver experts. However, they caution much more work is needed beIore the research is transIerred
Irom the lab to the operating Iield. Culture technology represents a huge leap Iorward in treating
many diseases; with liver disease in particular it has the potential Ior tremendous advances. Here
and now, the obvious way to help these people is by more people adding their names to the organ
donor register and to make their wishes known to their Iamily."