Culture and Characterization of Human Hepatocytes Obtained after Graft Reduction for Liver Transplantation: A Reliable Source of Cells for a Bioartificial Liver

Phenotypic and in vivo functional characterization of immortalized human fetal liver cells

We report the establishment and characterization of immortalized human fetal liver progenitor cells by expression of the Simian virus 40 large T (SV40 LT) antigen. Well-characterized cells at various passages were transplanted into nude mice with acute liver injury and tested for functional capacity. The SV40LT antigen-immortalized fetal liver cells showed a morphology similar to primary cells. Cultured cells demonstrated stable phenotypic expression in various passages, of hepatic markers such as albumin, CK 8, CK18, transcription factors HNF-4α and HNF-1α and CYP3A/7. The cells did not stain for any of the tested cancer-associated markers. Albumin, HNF-4α and CYP3A7 expression was confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Flow cytometry showed expression of some progenitor cell markers. In vivo study showed that the cells expressed both fetal and differentiated hepatocytes markers. Our study suggests new approaches to expand hepatic progenitor cells, analyze their fate in animal models aiming at cell therapy of hepatic diseases.

Hepatocyte transplantation: A review of laboratory techniques and clinical experiences

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is standard clinical practice for patients with severe and end-stage chronic liver disease. However, the chronic shortage of donor livers and parallel growth of the transplant waiting list mean that a substantial proportion of patients die while waiting for a donor liver. Attempts to reduce the waiting list by use of split-liver and living-related live donor techniques have had some impact, but additional approaches to management are vital if the death rate is to be significantly reduced. Extensive laboratory research work and limited clinical trials have shown that hepatocyte transplantation may be useful in bridging some patients to OLT. A major limiting factor has been the shortage of mature functioning human hepatocytes, which are currently mostly obtained from livers rejected for OLT. This review examines potential hepatocyte sources, hepatocyte isolation methods and preservation protocols that have been successfully established, along with an overview of clinical results.

Potential impact of steatosis on cytochrome P450 enzymes of human hepatocytes isolated from fatty liver grafts

Liver grafts discarded for transplantation because of macrosteatosis can constitute a valuable source of human hepatocytes for in vitro metabolic and pharmacotoxicological studies or for therapeutic applications. A condition for using hepatocyte suspensions for these purposes is the preservation of their metabolic competence and, particularly, drug-metabolizing enzymes. A reduction in microsomal cytochrome P450 (P450) activities was observed in fatty livers (>40% steatosis) with respect to normal tissue. Similarly, decreased levels of 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation and testosterone metabolism were observed in human hepatocyte cultures prepared from steatotic liver tissue. To clarify the potential impact of lipid accumulation on human hepatic P450 enzymes, we have used an in vitro model of "cellular steatosis" by incubation of cultured hepatocytes with increasing concentrations (0.25-3 mM) of long-chain free fatty acids (FFA). A dose-dependent accumulation of lipids in the cytosol is induced by FFA mixture. Hepatocytes exposed to 1 mM FFA for 14 h showed lower activity values of CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4 enzymes than nontreated hepatocytes (about 45-65% reduction). This treatment also produced significant decreases in CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4 mRNA to about 55 to 75% of mRNA levels in control cells. Our results suggest that although human hepatocytes isolated from steatotic liver show reduced P450 activities, they are metabolically competent and can be used for drug metabolism studies.

Establishment of Highly Differentiated Immortalized Human Hepatocyte Line With Simian Virus 40 Large Tumor Antigen for Liver Based Cell Therapy

Acute liver failure and metabolic liver disorder animal models have demonstrated that hepatocytes transplanted into the liver or spleen survive and participate in the liver repopulation process, and recent studies have documented the usefulness of hepatocyte transplantation in humans. However, despite the promising cell therapy, there are still many restrictions, such as the shortage of donor human livers and the limited lifespan and the functional insufficiency of primary cultured hepatocytes. The immortalized and highly differentiated human hepatocyte could provide an unlimited supply of transplantable cells. In this study, we established an efficient and highly differentiated immortalized human hepatocyte line for bioartificial liver and hepatocyte transplantation research. Hepatocytes isolated from the liver of a 25 year old, brain dead male were transfected with pcDNA3.1 (-) recombinant plasmid containing the genes encoding simian virus 40 (SV40) large tumor antigen. One of the hepatocyte clones, HepLL, displayed highly differentiated liver functions with immortalized characteristics and was selected with a 700-300 microg/ml of G418 technique in 42 days. To characterize this immortalized cell line for cell therapy in the near future, HepLL cells were studied with immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions, immunoblotting, and tumorigenicity tests. The results revealed that HepLL cells displayed morphologic characteristics of liver parenchymal cells, secreted albumin, synthesized urea and glycogen, and expressed liver enriched functional markers, but there were no tumorigenic qualities after transplantation into severe combined immunodeficiency mice. Thus this immortalized human hepatocyte line is expected to be a useful tool for studying the functions of differentiated human hepatocyte and a promising strategy to resolve the shortages of donor organs and the limits of primary human hepatocyte for transplantation and bioartificial liver support systems.