Abstract
Background & Aims: Several studies have shown that bone marrow-derived committed myelomonocytic cells can repopulate diseased livers by fusing with host hepatocytes and can restore normal liver function. These data suggest that myelomonocyte transplantation could be a promising approach for targeted and well-tolerated cell therapy aimed at liver regeneration. We sought to determine whether bone marrow-derived myelomonocytic cells could be effective for liver reconstitution in newborn mice knock-out for glucose-6-phosphatase-α. Methods: Bone marrow-derived myelomonocytic cells obtained from adult wild type mice were transplanted in newborn knock-out mice. Tissues of control and treated mice were frozen for histochemical analysis, or paraffin-embedded and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological examination or analyzed by immunohistochemistry or fluorescent in situ hybridization. Results: Histological sections of livers of treated knock-out mice revealed areas of regenerating tissue consisting of hepatocytes of normal appearance and partial recovery of normal architecture as early as 1 week after myelomonocytic cells transplant. FISH analysis with X and Y chromosome paints indicated fusion between infused cells and host hepatocytes. Glucose-6-phosphatase activity was detected in treated mice with improved profiles of liver functional parameters. Conclusions: Our data indicate that bone marrow-derived myelomonocytic cell transplant may represent an effective way to achieve liver reconstitution of highly degenerated livers in newborn animals.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1263-1271 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of Hepatology |
Volume | 55 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2011 |
Keywords
- Cell fusion
- Glucose-6-phosphatase-α
- Hematopoietic stem cells
- Myelomonocytes
- Null mice
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Hepatology