Human hepatic progenitor cells as a source of liver regeneration. v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Isolated of hepatic ductal cells from discarded human liver via either fresh frozen liver or perfused liver as a source of liver regeneration.
IRAS ID
192867
Contact name
John M. Hallett
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 10 months, 2 days
Research summary
16,087 people died in the UK in 2008 from liver disease, which was a 4.5% increase since 2007 with rates continuing to rapidly rise worldwide. In Scotland liver disease accounts for approximately 1 in 50 of all deaths. Whilst liver failure is curative there are insufficient suitable organ donors and many patients die waiting for a suitable organ. Clinically important liver disease often presents at an advanced stage. In spite of alternative treatments such as resection of tumour, biliary reconstruction and anti-hepatitis C agents, patients may be left with advanced liver disease. Within the liver we believe are a cell type known as hepatic progenitor cells. These may be a potential way of treating liver failure as an alternative to liver transplantation. We propose to take adult human livers which have been been discarded as they are not suitable for liver transplantation. We will then attempt to isolate cells from the liver ducts. The isolation will be undertaken after normothermic perfusion of the discarded livers (livers perfused on an isolated perfusion circuit) to allow us to evaluate the function of the livers prior to cell isolation. With these cells we will culture them to increase their numbers. Their potential to stimulate liver regeneration and repair will be assessed by using them to perform transplants on a model of liver failure.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
15/SS/0218
Date of REC Opinion
20 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion