Sticky cell coating increases liver repair without requiring transplants

Sticky cell coating increases liver repair without requiring transplants

A new process could help treat liver disease without the need for an organ transplant, a new study shows.

Liver progenitor cells (HPCs) can help repair the liver, but they often do not adhere well to existing tissue, making treatment less effective.

Scientists at the University of Birmingham have now developed a method to coat HPCs with natural sugars (polysaccharides) such as hyaluronic acid and alginate - which make cells “stickier”.

The coated cells showed a significant increase in their ability to adhere to liver tissue and other cells - meaning the cells are more likely to stay in place and repair the liver. The coating does not harm the cells or prevent them from functioning properly. Coated HPCs can still transform into liver cells and carry out their functions, such as important proteins.

Publishing their results today (July 10) inCommunication biologyScientists from the University of Birmingham and Insispero AG (Switzerland) outline how the HPCs will be coated with polysaccharides using a special technique that does not require modifying their genes.

Liver transplants are the only option for many serious liver diseases, but there are not enough donor livers available. This new method could provide an alternative by making cell therapy more effective and potentially helping many people with liver disease. “

Dr. Maria Chiara Arno, lead author from the University of Birmingham

The researchers used a technique called metabolic oligosaccharide technique (MOE) to coat the cells, which were tested under laboratory conditions that mimic the human body - on various surfaces, including liver microtisses and endothelial cells that line blood vessels. The coated HPCs showed a much higher adhesion rate for liver microtissues and other cells compared to uncoated cells.

This study shows that cells coated with hyaluronic acid spread more and formed structures that help them stick. In addition, coating cells increased their levels of certain proteins (integrins) that help cells find and sense their environment. Importantly, these coatings were temporary, lasting just long enough to adhere to the cells after transplantation without disrupting their normal functions.

“Our approach avoids genetic modification and facilitates use in the clinic,” added Dr. Arno added. “We believe this method could be adapted for other cell types and plan further studies examining its effects on cell health and immune responses.”

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