Stem cells revived the liver

The liver has a unique ability to regenerate, however, with conditions such as cirrhosis and acute liver failure, it is unable to cope with damage on its own. The main liver cells are hepatocytes, which synthesize many different proteins and break down toxins that enter the body. Hepatocytes are used for transplantation, but the possibilities of this procedure are limited due to the low viability of these cells in the laboratory. In contrast, liver stem cells proliferate well in culture and can differentiate not only into hepatocytes, but also other cells that make up the liver.

In experiments on a mouse model of irreversible liver damage, researchers at the Center for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, working under the guidance of Professor Stuart Forbes, demonstrated that transplantation of donor liver stem cells ensures complete organ recovery.

To carry out their work, the authors created a genetically modified mouse model, in 98% of whose hepatocytes, under the influence of an inducing factor, the enzyme ubiquitin ligase was destroyed, which led to apoptosis, necrosis or the entry of cells into the phase of physiological aging. This created conditions for the activation and rapid division of liver stem cells, which, after maturing into hepatocytes, were repeatedly destroyed.

Donor liver stem cells isolated from genetically normal mice demonstrated high proliferation ability and phenotypic stability under culture conditions. These cells were transplanted into the non-viable liver of the model described above, which contributed to the complete restoration of the organ tissue.

If the results obtained can be reproduced with human stem cells, the approach developed by the authors may eventually become a worthy alternative to liver transplantation. Eventually, the researchers hope to find a way to pharmacologically stimulate the patient's own liver stem cells to repair the damaged organ.

Article by Wei-Yu Lu et al. Hepatic progenitor cells of biliary origin with liver repopulation capacity is published in the journal Nature Cell Biology.

Evgeniya Ryabtseva

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