Efficient recellularisation of decellularised whole-liver grafts using biliary tree and foetal hepatocytes

Sci Rep. 2016 Oct 21:6:35887. doi: 10.1038/srep35887.

Abstract

A whole-organ regeneration approach, using a decellularised xenogeneic liver as a scaffold for the construction of a transplantable liver was recently reported. Deriving suitable scaffolds was the first step towards clinical application; however, effective recellularisation remains to be achieved. This report presents a strategy for the improvement of the recellularisation process, using novel cell-seeding technique and cell source. We evaluated recellularised liver grafts repopulated through the portal vein or the biliary duct with mice adult hepatocytes or E14.5 foetal hepatocytes. More than 80% of the cells seeded through the biliary tree entered the parenchyma beyond the ductule-lining matrix barrier and distributed throughout the liver lobule. In contrast, about 20% of the cells seeded through the portal tree entered the parenchyma. The gene expression levels of foetal hepatocyte albumin, glucose 6-phosphatase, transferrin, cytokeratin 19, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase were increased in three-dimensional cultures in the native liver-derived scaffolds, and the activation of liver detoxification enzymes and formation of biliary duct-like structures were supported. The metabolic functions of liver grafts recellularised with different cell types were similar. These results suggest that biliary tree cell-seeding approach is promising, and that liver progenitor cells represent a good cell source candidate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bile Ducts / cytology
  • Bile Ducts / metabolism
  • Bile Ducts / transplantation*
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Fetus / cytology
  • Glucose-6-Phosphatase / metabolism
  • Hepatocytes / cytology
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Hepatocytes / transplantation*
  • Keratin-19 / metabolism
  • Liver / cytology*
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Regeneration / physiology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Parenchymal Tissue / metabolism
  • Parenchymal Tissue / pathology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Lew
  • Tissue Scaffolds
  • Transferrins / metabolism
  • Transplantation, Heterologous
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase / metabolism

Substances

  • Keratin-19
  • Transferrins
  • gamma-Glutamyltransferase
  • Glucose-6-Phosphatase