[Transplantation of hepatocytes--present status and future perspectives]

Transplantation of hepatocytes as an alternative to the transplantation of the liver has been investigated since the 70s of the 20th century. Work on animal models confirmed that transplanted hepatocytes can survive, reproduce and compensate for missing liver functions, Recent clinical studies indicate that hepatocyte transplantation can also play its part in the treatment of acute liver failure, some inborn metabolic deficiencies and liver cirrhosis. In the acute liver failure, metabolic support by means of hepatocytes can help to overcome the period up to transplantation or regeneration of the liver. In the case of loss of a major fraction of the liver cells, transplanted hepatocytes may colonize the liver. the isolation of hepatocytes and procedure of transplantation proper are under control and the work focusing on the improvement of cell preservation is under way. Hepatocyte gene manipulation proves to be promising. The shortage of donors and the necessity of long-term immunosuppression represent the greatest problem. The article analyzes the basic principles of hepatocyte transplantation, the contemporary state of clinical application and further perspectives of research.