Microencapsulated UCB cells repair hepatic injure by intraperitoneal transplantation

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) cells are an attractive choice in cytotherapy and represent an alternative to hepatocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using the technique of micro-encapsulation to study the differentiation and function of UCB cells in an injured liver model and the potential of encapsulated UCB cells for use in the reversal of hepatic injury.

UCB cells were isolated from fresh human UCB, encapsulated using the alginate-poly-lysine-alginate method and transplanted intraperitoneally into liver-injured mice induced by CCl4. Encapsulated UCB cell growth, viability and differentiation in vivo were detected. For evaluating the recovery of injured liver tissues, serum aminotransferases and liver histology were assessed.

Encapsulated UCB cells showed better growth behavior after being implanted. Under conditions favoring differentiation in vivo, the expression of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and albumin (ALB) and urea synthesis were detected in a time-dependent manner. Serum amino-transferases were decreased after transplantation of encapsulated UCB cells into injured mice, and damage to the histologic structure of the liver was reduced.

The cell microencapsulation system provides a novel approach for learning more about the differentiation and function of UCB cells in vivo. Transplantation of encapsulated UCB cells can enhance recovery of CCl4-injured mouse liver. These observations suggest potential as an alternative to hepatocyte transplantation for cellular therapy of liver failure.