Transplantation of monocyte-derived hepatocyte-like cells (NeoHeps) improves survival in a model of acute liver failure.
OBJECTIVE
Investigation of the efficacy of implantation of monocyte-derived hepatocyte-like cells (NeoHeps) in acute liver failure.


BACKGROUND
Extended liver resection or split liver transplantation is still associated with high morbidity and mortality because of postoperative liver insufficiency. In view of liver support systems, implantation of isolated hepatocytes or hepatocyte-like cells such as NeoHeps is increasingly under discussion.


METHODS
Twenty-four hours before subtotal hepatectomy, cells of different origin [A: human mononuclear cells (24 x 10(6)); B: NeoHeps (16 x 10(6)); C: NeoHeps (24 x 10(6)); D: rat hepatocytes (24 x 10(6))] were injected into the spleen of Wistar rats. After an observation period of 5 days, animal survival, postoperative weight, and signs of encephalopathy were recorded. At the end of the observation period, blood was collected for laboratory analysis.


RESULTS
Transplantation of both rat hepatocytes and NeoHeps significantly improved animal survival when compared with control animals (group A: 21%), reaching 72% in group D (P = 0.001), 50% in group C (P = 0.04), and 36% in group B (P = 0.22). Moreover, animals in these groups postoperatively experienced less frequently signs of encephalopathy, as well as earlier weight increase when compared with group A.


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatocyte transplantation is a practicable and successful treatment option in case of liver insufficiency because implantation of NeoHeps or primary rat hepatocytes had an improving effect on survival. The promising data of the present study warrants further analysis to elucidate the role of NeoHeps in treatment of acute postoperative liver failure to a greater extent.
Glanemann
Matthias
M
Department of General-, Visceral-, and Transplantation Surgery, Charité, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. matthias.glanemann@charite.de
Gaebelein
Gereon
G
Nussler
Natascha
N
Hao
Liping
L
Kronbach
Zienab
Z
Shi
Baomin
B
Neuhaus
Peter
P
Nussler
Andreas K
AK
D000818:Animals; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015996:Survival Rate