Portocaval shunt for hepatocyte package: challenging application of small intestinal graft in animal models

In developing therapeutic alternatives to liver transplantation, we have used the strategy of applying a small intestinal segment as a scaffold for hepatocyte transplantation and also as a portocaval shunt (PCS) system to address both liver dysfunction and portal hypertension. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of such an intestinal segment in animal models. Hepatocytes isolated from luciferase-transgenic Lewis rats were transplanted into jejunal segments of wild-type Lewis rats with mucosa removal without PCS application. Luciferase-derived luminescence from transplanted hepatocytes was stably detected for 30 days. Then, we performed autologous hepatocyte transplantation into the submucosal layer of an isolated and vascularized small intestinal segment in pigs. Transplanted hepatocytes were isolated from the resected left-lateral lobe of the liver. On day 7, hepatocyte clusters and bile duct-like structures were observed histologically. To create an intestinal PCS system in pigs, an auto-graft of the segmental ileum and interposing vessel graft were anastomosed to the portal vein trunk and inferior vena cava. However, thrombi were observed in vessels of the intestinal PCSs. We measured the correlation between infusion pressure and flow volume in whole intestines ex vivo in both species and found that the high pressure corresponding to portal hypertension was still insufficient to maintain the patency of the intestinal grafts. In conclusion, we demonstrated the feasibility of the small intestine as a scaffold for hepatocyte transplantation in rat and pig models, but PCS using an intestinal graft failed to maintain patency in a pig model.