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Published on: February 10, 2018
Human hepatocyte transplantation for liver disease: current status and future perspectives
V Iansante1, R R Mitry1, C Filippi1
1DhawanLab, Paediatric Liver GI and Nutrition Center and MowatLabs, Institute of Liver Studies, King's College London, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
Abstract:
Liver transplantation is the accepted treatment for patients with acute liver failure and liver-based metabolic disorders. However, donor organ shortage and lifelong need for immunosuppression are the main limitations to liver transplantation. In addition, loss of the native liver as a target organ for future gene therapy for metabolic disorders limits the futuristic treatment options, resulting in the need for alternative therapeutic strategies. A potential alternative to liver transplantation is allogeneic hepatocyte transplantation. Over the last two decades, hepatocyte transplantation has made the transition from bench to bedside. Standardized techniques have been established for isolation, culture, and cryopreservation of human hepatocytes. Clinical hepatocyte transplantation safety and short-term efficacy have been proven; however, some major hurdles-mainly concerning shortage of donor organs, low cell engraftment, and lack of a long-lasting effect-need to be overcome to widen its clinical applications. Current research is aimed at addressing these problems, with the ultimate goal of increasing hepatocyte transplantation efficacy in clinical applications.
Insights
Hepatocyte transplantation offers an alternative to liver transplants for liver failure and metabolic disorders. Research aims to improve cell engraftment and long-term effects to overcome current limitations.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Transplantation Biology
Background:
- Liver transplantation is a primary treatment for acute liver failure and metabolic disorders.
- Donor organ scarcity and immunosuppression requirements limit liver transplantation efficacy.
- Alternative strategies are needed due to the loss of the native liver for future gene therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore allogeneic hepatocyte transplantation as a viable alternative to liver transplantation.
- To review the progress and challenges in clinical hepatocyte transplantation.
- To identify research directions for enhancing hepatocyte transplantation efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Review of established techniques for human hepatocyte isolation, culture, and cryopreservation.
- Analysis of clinical data on the safety and short-term efficacy of hepatocyte transplantation.
- Identification of current research efforts addressing transplantation hurdles.
Main Results:
- Hepatocyte transplantation has transitioned from research to clinical application.
- Established protocols exist for hepatocyte handling and preservation.
- Clinical studies demonstrate safety and short-term effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- Hepatocyte transplantation shows promise as an alternative to liver transplantation.
- Key challenges include donor organ availability, cell engraftment, and long-term efficacy.
- Ongoing research focuses on overcoming these hurdles to expand clinical use.
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