[A step towards a bioartificial liver: temporary extracorporeal replacement using isolated hepatocytes]

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Biotechnology
• Cell Therapy

Context:

• Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) presents a critical medical challenge with an 80% mortality rate.
• Current treatments are limited, primarily to liver transplantation, highlighting the need for alternative therapies.
• Extracorporeal bioartificial liver (BAL) systems offer a potential solution by providing essential liver functions.

Purpose:

• To develop an extracorporeal bioartificial liver (BAL) system utilizing functional porcine hepatocytes.
• To address the need for toxin removal and essential hepatic functions in patients with FHF.
• To create a bridge therapy for liver regeneration or transplantation.

Summary:

• Normal porcine hepatocytes were isolated and entrapped in membrane-coated alginate beads within a bioreactor.
• The system was tested using plasma from an animal with induced FHF, demonstrating high levels of liver-specific functions.
• Porcine hepatocytes exhibited significant plasma protein secretion and xenobiotic biotransformation, while being immunoprotected.

Impact:

• This BAL system shows potential for treating fulminant hepatic failure by supporting liver regeneration or acting as a bridge to transplantation.
• Successful immunoprotection of hepatocytes within the device is crucial for clinical application.
• The study discusses ethical considerations for establishing future Cell Therapy departments.