Albumin-Producing Hepatocytes Derived from Cryopreserved F344 Rat Bone Marrow Cells Transplanted in the Livers of Congenic Nagase's Analbuminemic Rats

Abstract

2 AbstractPurpose. Hematopoietic stem cells (SC) are though to have the potential to differentiate into hepatocytes; however, this potential has not been reported for cryopreserved SCs.We investigated if cryopreserved bone marrow cells (BMCs) from F344 rats (F344) can induce the growth of albumin-producing hepatocytes in the livers of congenic Nagase's analbuminemic rats (F344alb). Methods. F344 BMCs were cryopreserved in University of Wisconsin (UW) solutioncontaining 10% fetal bovine serum and 12% dimethylsulfoxide, at -80℃. After thawing, 20 x 10 7 cells were infused via the portal vein into the livers of F344alb immediately after 70% hepatectomy (PH). We examined the recipient livers for albumin positive (alb+) hepatocytes and albumin mRNA and measured the serum albumin levels 4 weeks later.Results. Single and double alb+ hepatocytes were occasionally seen in the F344alb livers without the BMC transplantation. However, clusters consisting of more than three alb+ hepatocytes were seen in the livers of recipients transplanted with the cryopreserved BMCs after PH, the same as in the livers transplanted with freshly-isolated BMCs. Normal albumin mRNA was detected in the recipient livers, and the serum albumin levels were increased.