J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 80(11): 1057-1061, 1979

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Report on the annual meeting

HEPATOCELLULAR TRANSPLANTATION

Hepatocytes isolated by the collagenase digestive method were transplanted into the spleens of syngenic rats. Morphology and function of the hepatocytes in the spleen were investigated for 12-16 months after transplantation. The transplanted hepatocytes proliferated and reconfigured in the spleen and occupied approximately 40% area of the splenic parenchyma without undifferentiation on microscopy. Light and electron microscopic studies demonstrated differentiated cord structure and normal architecture for each hepatocyte. Furthermore, the hepatized spleen synthesized albumin and glycogen as demonstrated by immunofluorescence and histochemical studies. These results indicate that our experimental model lends itself well to investigations in cell growth mechanism and hepatocellular transplantation has potential clinical application to compensate for impaired hepatic function.

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