Reduced mobilisation of hematopoietic stem cells after hepatic resection for malignant liver disease.

Recent studies have demonstrated that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) can mobilize following liver resection, thus contributing to the repair of hepatic damage. Aim of this study has been to determine whether the nature of the hepatic lesion (benign vs. malignant disease) can give rise to a different degree of mobilisation of HSCs.

Mobilization of peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells following liver resection surgery.

Background/aims: Stem cells are characterized by plasticity, namely the ability of interchanging between various tissue and organs. In this regard, many studies have demonstrated the presence of antigenic structures relevant to the hematopoietic stem cell on hepatocytes, thus suggesting that in certain conditions liver cells may derive from the hematopoietic compartment. The aim of this study has been to verify whether surgical liver resection can activate bone marrow, by mobilizing peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells (CD34+ cells) putatively able to induce liver repopulation.

National survey of apheresis activity in Italy (2000).

Data collection on apheresis in Italy throughout 2000, including techniques, machines, clinical indications and adverse effects, has been performed by means of a standardized questionnaire. These data provided from 102 Apheresis Units from 19 Italian regions, albeit rough, are sufficiently informative. In 2000 a total number of 164,943 apheresis procedures has been carried out, with a clear-cut prevalence of productive apheresis (90.