A novel method for liver repopulation: Heterografting of micro-liver slices in a rat model

The field of hepatocyte transplantation is developing, with encouraging results. However, current approaches are still unsuitable for human cell therapy, and safer and more applicable methods need to be developed. We recently successfully transplanted pieces of liver tissue (slices), cut from a wild-type Fischer 344 dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV)-positive rat and introduced into the liver of a DPP IV-deficient Fischer 344 rat. One month after the procedure, positive DPP IV enzymatic activity was detected in transplanted liver slices. These results suggest that transplantation of tissue slices is feasible and safe and could serve as a promising alternative to hepatocyte transplantation.