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Therapy to slow down liver damage Therapy to slow down liver damage
(1 day later)
Scientists have developed a new way to treat liver failure by dampening the immune response using stem cells taken from the bone marrow.Scientists have developed a new way to treat liver failure by dampening the immune response using stem cells taken from the bone marrow.
So far the technique has only been tested in animals, but if it works in humans it could help save lives.So far the technique has only been tested in animals, but if it works in humans it could help save lives.
Potentially a patient could be kept alive longer until a donor organ is found - and the liver would be given the maximum chance to repair itself.Potentially a patient could be kept alive longer until a donor organ is found - and the liver would be given the maximum chance to repair itself.
The Massachusetts General Hospital work features in the journal PLOS One.The Massachusetts General Hospital work features in the journal PLOS One.
This development could potentially reduce the number of donor organs used in urgent transplant procedures Professor Mark ThurszBritish Liver TrustThis development could potentially reduce the number of donor organs used in urgent transplant procedures Professor Mark ThurszBritish Liver Trust
The liver is one of the few major organs that is able to regenerate itself.The liver is one of the few major organs that is able to regenerate itself.
However, the organ cannot cope with the extensive damage inflicted by diseases like chronic hepatitis, or excessive long-term alcohol consumption.However, the organ cannot cope with the extensive damage inflicted by diseases like chronic hepatitis, or excessive long-term alcohol consumption.
At present, the only treatment for severe "end-stage" damage is a transplant - but donor organs are limited, and recipients must rely on powerful drugs to suppress their immune response.At present, the only treatment for severe "end-stage" damage is a transplant - but donor organs are limited, and recipients must rely on powerful drugs to suppress their immune response.
Key cellsKey cells
External liver assist devices have successfully supported some patients, but such machines require a supply of preferably human liver cells, which have been difficult to acquire.External liver assist devices have successfully supported some patients, but such machines require a supply of preferably human liver cells, which have been difficult to acquire.
The US researchers used mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) - cells from the bone marrow that develop into tissues supporting blood cell development in the marrow cavity.The US researchers used mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) - cells from the bone marrow that develop into tissues supporting blood cell development in the marrow cavity.
Previous research has shown that MSCs are able to inhibit several immune system activities, apparently by putting a break on the movement of immune cells to areas of damage. Previous research has shown that MSCs are able to inhibit several immune system activities, apparently by putting a brake on the movement of immune cells to areas of damage.
A supply of MSCs can be extracted from a patient's own marrow and expanded to levels that could be therapeutically useful.A supply of MSCs can be extracted from a patient's own marrow and expanded to levels that could be therapeutically useful.
The researchers tested several ways of using the cells to treat rats with liver failure.The researchers tested several ways of using the cells to treat rats with liver failure.
Simply transplanting MSCs into the animals' livers was not effective.Simply transplanting MSCs into the animals' livers was not effective.
However, two methods of delivering molecules secreted by the cells lessened inflammation within the liver and halted cell death.However, two methods of delivering molecules secreted by the cells lessened inflammation within the liver and halted cell death.
Cycling the blood of rats with liver failure through an external bioreactor containing MSCs also greatly reduced signs of liver failure in the animals, and boosted survival rates from 14% to 71%.Cycling the blood of rats with liver failure through an external bioreactor containing MSCs also greatly reduced signs of liver failure in the animals, and boosted survival rates from 14% to 71%.
Researcher Biju Parekkadan said in theory a patient could be injected with a drug containing MSC-derived molecules to try to halt cell damage, and allow the organ to regenerate.Researcher Biju Parekkadan said in theory a patient could be injected with a drug containing MSC-derived molecules to try to halt cell damage, and allow the organ to regenerate.
If that was not successful, or the damage was too extensive, then a device similar to the bioreactor could be considered to buy extra time before a transplant.If that was not successful, or the damage was too extensive, then a device similar to the bioreactor could be considered to buy extra time before a transplant.
The British Liver Trust warned the research was still at an early stage.The British Liver Trust warned the research was still at an early stage.
But Professor Mark Thursz, of St Mary's Hospital, London and spokesperson for the trust, said: "A long standing goal in hepatology is the suppression of liver cell death until regeneration could occur.But Professor Mark Thursz, of St Mary's Hospital, London and spokesperson for the trust, said: "A long standing goal in hepatology is the suppression of liver cell death until regeneration could occur.
"This development could potentially reduce the number of donor organs used in urgent transplant procedures thereby increasing the number available for the growing number of patients on routine waiting lists.""This development could potentially reduce the number of donor organs used in urgent transplant procedures thereby increasing the number available for the growing number of patients on routine waiting lists."