Partial hepatectomy induces mobilization of a unique population of haematopoietic progenitor cells in human healthy liver donors.
OBJECTIVE
Recent studies indicate that after transplantation, circulating bone marrow-derived stem cells migrate into the liver and contribute to liver regeneration. Whether such cells are actively recruited from the bone marrow for liver repair remains to be determined. In this regard, we investigated whether liver resection leads to a release of stem cell marker-positive (+) cells into the peripheral circulation.


METHODS
Peripheral blood samples from 11 living liver donors were analyzed by flow cytometry one day before and 12h after partial hepatectomy (PH) using antibodies against CD133, CD34, CD45, CD14, c-kit, bcrp-1. Immunomagnetic separation was performed to select CD133+ cells for functional assays in vitro.


RESULTS
A significant increase in the percentage of CD133+ cells could be demonstrated in all donors studied. Unexpectedly, virtually all CD133+ cells coexpressed CD45 and CD14, whereas only a small subset expressed CD34. No significant staining was observed for c-kit and bcrp-1. In culture, immunoselected CD133+ cells displayed characteristics of myelomonocytic precursors. In addition, enriched CD133+ generated an adherent cell population that expressed CK8, alpha-fetoprotein, and human albumin.


CONCLUSIONS
PH induces mobilization of a distinct population of myelomonocytic progenitor cells, which have hepatic differentiation potential in vitro, and might play a role in liver regeneration after PH in humans.
Gehling
Ursula M
UM
Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Visceral Transplantation, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. gehling@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Willems
Marc
M
Dandri
Maura
M
Petersen
Jörg
J
Berna
Marc
M
Thill
Michelle
M
Wulf
Tina
T
Müller
Lars
L
Pollok
Joerg M
JM
Schlagner
Kathleen
K
Faltz
Christiane
C
Hossfeld
Dieter K
DK
Rogiers
Xavier
X
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D048430:Cell Shape; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006498:Hepatectomy; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D018189:Immunomagnetic Separation; D008115:Liver Regeneration; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D019520:Living Donors
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015415:Biomarkers