Effect of Intrasplenic Transplantation of Cryopreserved Hepatocytes into Partially Hepatectomized Rats

Hwang, Seong Gyu; Yun, Ik Jin; Kim, Yun Soo; Kim, Kyung Chul; Hong, Sung Pyo; Park, Pil Won; Rim, Kyu Sung; Cho, Joo Young; Lee, Joon Seong; Lee, Moon Sung; Shim, Chan Sup

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Various techniques of hepatocyte transplantation were actively studied as an alternative to liver transplantation, because of the difficulty of obtaining donor organ, technical difficulties, and high cost. Isolated hepatocytes could be appropriately banked and distributed on demand. We tried to investigate the effect of intrasplenic transplantation of allogenic cryopreserved hepatocytes, into spleen prior to 90% partial hepatectomy in rats, on the survival rate.
METHODS
Cryopreserved hepatocytes, isolated by collagenase perfusion of the liver via the portal vein, were thawed and transplanted into the spleen of rats prior to induction of acute hepatic failure by resection of all lobes except caudate lobe (2.0x107 hepatocytes/rat).
RESULTS
1. The viability of freshly isolated hepatocyte was 70-5%, but cell viability after cryopreservation 30-0%. 2. Difference of survival in control and transplant group is not statistically significant. but the survival rate, 48 hours after 90% partial hepatectomy, for control (7) and transplanted group (11) were 0% and 18%, respectively. 3. Although the glucose reduction gradient was not significantly different between two groups, it was more prominent in the control group than in the transplanted group. 4. Engraftment and survival of transplanted hepatocytes were noted in the spleen 2 days after transplantation.
CONCLUSIONS
We could not observe statistically significant improvement of survival with intrasplenic transplantation of cryopreserved hepatocytes in rats with 90% partial hepatectomy-nduced acute liver failure. However, 18% survival after 90% partial hepatectomy was noted in the transplanted group, compared to no survival in the control group. This suggests that intrasplenic transplantation of cryopreserved hepatocytes might be effective in the treatment of acute liver failure.