Growth of liver allografts over time in pediatric transplant recipients

Abstract

The liver's capacity to grow in response to metabolic need is well known. However, long-term growth of liver allografts in pediatric recipients has not been characterized. A retrospective review of pediatric recipients at a single institution identified patients who had cross-sectional imaging at 1, 5, and 10 years post-transplant. Using volumetric calculations, liver allograft size was calculated and percent SLV were compared across the different time points; 18 patients ranging from 0.3 to 17.7 years old were identified that had imaging at 2 or more time points. Measured liver volumes increased by 59% after 5 years and 170% after 10 years. The measured liver volumes compared to calculated %SLV for these patients were 123 ± 37%, 97 ± 19%, and 118 ± 27% at 1, 5, and 10 years after transplant, respectively. Our data suggest that liver allografts in pediatric recipients increase along with overall growth, and reach SLVs for height and weight by 5 years post-transplantation. Additionally, as pediatric recipients grow, the livers appear to maintain appropriate SLV.

LncRNA SNHG12 promotes proliferation and migration of hepatic progenitor cells via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway

“…However, the lack of liver donors restricts the treatment of many patients who need liver transplants. 4,5 Therefore, hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) have become a relevant research avenue because of their potential to replace liver transplant operations. Hepatic progenitor cells, also known as small hepatocyte or biliary epithelioid cells, are a heterogeneous cell type with bidirectional differentiation potential.…”