Intrasplenic hepatocyte transplantation in the pig: new technical aspects

0 RTHOTOPIC liver transplantation (OLT) is the only clinically effective treatment for fulminant or chronic liver failure, whether genetic in origin or due to acquired hepatocellular dysfunction. However, wider application of OLT is limited by organ shortage and a relatively high mortality rate. Consequently, there is increasing interest in hepatocyte transplantation, especially in the treatment of metabolic disorders, or, in combination with plasmapheresis, of fulminant hepatic failure (bioartificial liver).’ With genetic defects, it may be possible to introduce genes into hepatocytes before autotransplantation. In recent years, the spleen has been the most popular site for inoculation of hepatocytes in experimental studies. Several authors have reported good survival and function,‘.” but problems remain in respect to long-term survival, ccl1 proliferation and differentiation, and the provision of sufficient number of cells to support failing liver function. Additionally, with one exception,4 most studies have been performed in the rat, and there has been little work carried out in large mammals. In order to address these concerns, we describe a method of autotransplantation in the pig which simplifies the surgical procedures and allows estimation of hepatocyte proliferation and survival in the spleen.