Effects of bone marrow cells on hepatocytes: when co-cultured or co-encapsulated together

Bone marrow cells co-cultured with hepatocytes resulted in hepatocytes that can be maintained in culture for 14-21 days. This is compared to 7-10 days with hepatocytes alone under the same conditions. Similarly, when bone marrow cells are co-encapsulated together with hepatocytes, the viability of hepatocytes in culture medium is prolonged to 28 days. This is compared to 14 days when hepatocytes are encapsulated alone under the same conditions. These results suggest that bone marrow cells can contribute to the viability and maintenance of hepatocytes. It addition, this principle could be applied to other situation as in helping the regeneration of hepatocytes in liver failure and also for other cells and organs.