Breakthrough research grows liver cells

Japanese scientists have grown liver buds using stem cells in a laboratory for the first time. The cells that have been grown are entirely functional and could lead to the development of future treatments for liver disease. Many are theorising that the findings could also be further developed to enable the growth of full human organs in a laboratory, meaning that transplants would be a much easier process.

The scientists used three different types of human stem cell - taken from blood vessels, bone marrow and reprogrammed skin cells - to grow the cells, which were then transplanted into mice. The cells further developed into adult livers, leading to theories that injecting enough of the grown liver cells into a person's bloodstream could lead to a damaged liver becoming repaired. The cells could become incorporated into the liver and help to repair any damage done to it by disease, ultimately restoring its function.

Professor Takanori Takebe, leader of the research at Yokohama City University, said: "We just simply mixed three cell types and found that they unexpectedly self-organise to form a three dimensional liver bud - this is a rudimentary liver. And finally we proved that liver bud transplantation could offer therapeutic potential against liver failure."

The liver is able to repair itself extensively, but certain diseases can cause permanent damage; resulting in the need for a liver transplant. Around 700 liver transplants are performed throughout the UK every year, but a shortage of suitable donors means that around 100 people die every year whilst waiting for a transplant.

The liver buds are able to be grown to a point that is suitable for treatment in around six days, according to the study that was published in the journal Nature. This could mean that fewer people need transplants and that fewer lives are lost whilst waiting for transplants.

Professor Takebe said to the Daily Telegraph: “I am optimistic that with a large infusion of several hundred of thousands of liver buds, around 30 per cent of the patient’s original liver function could be restored and that should be enough to restore a viable liver system for that patient.”