Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2025
09:24
Decellularization and Recellularization of Whole Livers
Published on: February 4, 2011
22.1K
Bioengineering liver tissue by repopulation of decellularised scaffolds.
Zeeshan Afzal1, Emmanuel Laurent Huguet2
1Department of Surgery, Addenbrookes Hospital, NIHR Comprehensive Biomedical Research and Academic Health Sciences Centre; Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom.
World Journal of Hepatology
|March 17, 2023
Summary
Regenerating organs using decellularised scaffolds offers a promising solution to liver transplant limitations. While progress shows measurable hepatocyte function, challenges remain for clinical application.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Tissue Engineering
- Organ Transplantation
Background:
- End-stage liver disease necessitates transplantation, limited by donor organ scarcity and immunosuppression side effects.
- Decellularised organ scaffolds offer a potential solution for on-demand organ sourcing without immunosuppression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the progress and challenges in recellularising decellularised liver scaffolds for therapeutic applications.
- To assess the current state of bioengineering efforts in creating functional liver grafts.
Main Methods:
- Decellularisation of whole organs to create extracellular matrix scaffolds.
- Recellularisation of scaffolds using various cell types, including stem cells.
- In vitro and in vivo studies in rodent and large animal models to evaluate scaffold function.
Main Results:
- Demonstrable hepatocyte function and ammonia metabolism in recellularised scaffolds in vivo.
- Progress in vascular repopulation enabling perfusion, but with limitations in cell type and function.
- Challenges persist in biliary repopulation and incorporating all essential liver cell types.
Conclusions:
- Bioengineering decellularised liver scaffolds has advanced significantly, showing promise for future therapies.
- Substantial experimental hurdles must be overcome before clinical translation of bioengineered liver grafts is feasible.
