Avoiding liver transplants

UK scientists have identified primitive liver cells that could help repair a failing liver

Source: scenta

July 7, 2006

University of Edinburgh researchers have discovered the cells, which are possibly dormant from the earliest developmental stage of a human being and can mature into different cells types.

Their newly-published findings could pave the way for alternative treatments using cell replacements instead of organ transplants for those with liver failure.

A functioning liver is essential for human survival as liver failure ultimately results in death, and liver transplantation is currently the only treatment for acute and chronic liver failure.

However, the supply of donor livers is insufficient to meet demand -- in Britain, 20 per cent of patients waiting for a liver transplant will die from liver failure before a suitable donated organ becomes available.

"Potentially, cell replacement therapies could provide alternative treatments that would avoid difficulties associated with obtaining sufficient donor organ transplantation," said lead researcher Dr James Ross.

"We have now identified primitive cells with the potential to mature into different cell types within and out with the liver.

"It is possible that these cells lie dormant in the adult liver and may be the source of repair cells that are activated by severe liver injury."

He explained: "The liver is often able to repair and heal itself following injury or damage and this occurs in one of three ways.

"Firstly, mature liver cells have a well recognised and extensive capacity to divide in response to injury.

"Secondly, in response to massive loss of functioning liver tissue, a population of primitive liver stem cells may be stimulated to proliferate and develop into mature liver cells," continued Dr Ross.

"The third mechanism of liver repair involves circulating stem cells originating from other sources, such as the bone marrow, and it is possible that these cells may be recruited into the liver and form new liver cells."

The findings are published in the current edition of The American Journal of Physiology - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology.

Copyright © 2006 Scenta.

This article posted August 20, 2006.