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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
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Porcine Normothermic Isolated Liver Perfusion
Published on: June 9, 2023
Oxygenated Perfusion Enhances Hepatocyte Function in Human iPSC-liver Tissue
Soichiro Yamabe1,2, Yoshiki Kuse1,3, Takashi Okumura1
1Division of Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Transplantation
|June 10, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed an oxygenation system using decellularized livers and artificial red blood cells to create transplantable human liver tissue from stem cells. This method improves the function and engraftment of engineered liver organoids, offering a promising alternative for organ transplantation.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Stem Cell Biology
- Bioengineering
Background:
- Organ transplantation is limited by donor organ scarcity.
- Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived organoids offer potential for generating transplantable tissues.
- Decellularized liver (DL) scaffolds provide extracellular matrix for cell support and perfusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create functional and scalable human liver tissue from hiPSC-derived liver organoids (hiPSC-LOs).
- To establish an effective oxygenation system for hiPSC-LOs within a DL scaffold.
- To improve the viability and function of engineered liver tissue for potential transplantation.
Main Methods:
- Refined culture conditions for hiPSC-LOs to enhance engraftment in rat DLs.
- Developed an oxygenation system using perfusion of oxygen-enriched medium with artificial red blood cells for hiPSC-liver tissue (hiPSC-LT).
- Transplanted oxygenated hiPSC-LTs onto immunodeficient mice to assess in vivo performance.
Main Results:
- Successfully generated functional hiPSC-LTs by infusing hiPSC-LOs into DLs.
- Oxygenation suppressed cell death and promoted hepatic function by mimicking physiological oxygen levels.
- Oxygenated hiPSC-LTs showed improved in vivo engraftment, indicated by higher human albumin levels in recipient serum.
Conclusions:
- The developed oxygenation system effectively supports the generation of transplantable, functional hiPSC-LT.
- This strategy enhances the growth and functionality of hiPSC-organoids.
- Represents a significant advancement towards alternatives for conventional organ transplantation.
