Prolonged Function of Hepatocytes Transplanted into the Spleens of Nagase Analbuminemic Rats

Abstract

Hepatocytes isolated from F344 rats were transplanted into the spleens of congenic Nagase analbuminemic rats (NARs). The morphology and function of the transplanted hepatocytes were investigated after 18 months. The hepatocytes had formed nodules that occupied approximately 35% of the area of the splenic parenchyma on microscopic examination. Ultrastructural examination demonstrated that the organelles of the transplanted cells were indistinguishable from those of normal hepatocytes. The serum albumin level in NARs at 18 months after intrasplenic transplantation (HCTx) was about 3.6 % of that in normal rats. We confirmed that the hepatocytes in the spleen produced albumin and increased the serum albumin level in NARs with HCTx. The NAR model demonstrates the effect of HCTx and prolonged changes in the morphology of the hepatized spleen.

UW solution: a promising tool for cryopreservation of primarily isolated rat hepatocytes

“…Thus, there is a growing and compelling need to develop an attractive alternative to OLTX for sustaining patients with liver insufficiency. Since Berry and Friend established a method to isolate hepatocytes from the liver in 1969,11 animal studies have shown that hepatocyte transplantation (HTX) can be used to treat liver failure and inborn errors of liver‐based metabolism . In addition, current clinical reports have suggested that HTX is a considerably promising therapy for a wide spectrum of liver diseases.…”

Hepatocyte Transplantation from Steatotic Liver in a Rat Model

“…In the present study, the serum albumin level decreased to its basal level at 42 to 56 d after HTx in both groups. Previous congenic HTx studies using NARs as recipients, however, demonstrated the prolonged production of effective serum albumin levels [37,38]. The combination of animal models (Zucker rat donors/NAR recipients) used in the present study and our immunosuppressive protocol may explain why the HTx did not remain effective for a prolonged period.…”

Regenerative cell therapy for the treatment of hyperbilirubinemic Gunn rats with fresh and frozen human induced pluripotent stem cells‐derived hepatic stem cells

“…pHSCs were also able to survive and differentiate in the spleen and were there still able to fulfill their metabolic role as evidenced by the UGT1A1 activity (Figure C). Indeed the spleen can provide an adequate environment for hepatocyte engraftment, proliferation, maturation, and functionality …”