[Efficacy and toxicity of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with Cisplatin suspended in lipiodol for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma].

In this study we evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with Cisplatin (CDDP)-Lipiodol (LIP) suspension in 24 patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Eligibility criteria were as follows; unresectable HCC, age <75 years, performance status (PS) 0-2, Child-Pugh A or B and adequate heart and renal function. When TACE was performed, the catheter was placed selectively in feeding arteries of the tumors, and CDDP-LIP suspension (20 mg/mL) was injected followed by gelatin sponge particles.

Intact signaling by transforming growth factor beta is not required for termination of liver regeneration in mice.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is a potent inhibitor of hepatocyte proliferation in vitro and is suggested to be a key negative regulator of liver growth. To directly address the role of TGF-beta signaling in liver regeneration in vivo, the TGF-beta type II receptor gene (Tgfbr2) was selectively deleted in hepatocytes by crossing "floxed" Tgfbr2 conditional knockout mice with transgenic mice expressing Cre under control of the albumin promoter. Hepatocytes isolated from liver-specific Tgfbr2 knockout (R2LivKO) mice were refractory to the growth inhibitory effects of TGF-beta1.

Purification of adult hepatic progenitor cells using green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transgenic mice and fluorescence-activated cell sorting.

Background/aims: Recent advances in stem cell research have revealed that hepatic stem/progenitor cells may play an important role in liver development and regeneration. However, a lack of detectable definitive markers in viable cells has hindered their primary culture from adult livers.

Methods: Enzymatically dissociated liver cells from green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transgenic mice, which express GFP highly in liver endodermal cells, were sorted by GFP expression using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter.

Enrichment of hepatic progenitor cells from adult mouse liver.

Hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) have been characterized in several drug-treated rodent models and in the fetal liver; however, their properties have not been fully clarified in the normal adult liver, presumably because of their relatively small population and the existence of mature hepatocytes. In an attempt to resolve this issue, we developed a new enrichment system for HPCs using their cell aggregate formation properties. Nonparenchymal cells (NPCs) derived from enzymatically digested liver cells in normal adult mouse liver were treated in a hypoxic 2-hour suspension culture under constant shaking.

Establishment of a highly efficient gene transfer system for mouse fetal hepatic progenitor cells.

Because of a donor shortage problem in liver transplantation, cell transplantation has been anticipated as a useful bridge or substitute therapy, and has necessitated the development of cell sources other than donated organs. Therefore, the use of fetal hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) is now being focused on. In this study, we intended to establish an efficient ex vivo nonviral gene-transfer system using a newly developed isolation and culture system for mouse fetal HPCs.

Contribution of bone marrow cells to liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice.

Background/aims: We examined whether bone marrow (BM) cells can commit to liver-consisting cells during liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy, using mice transplanted with green fluorescent protein (GFP) positive BM from GFP transgenic mice.

Methods: Partial hepatectomy or sham operation was performed. Lineage marker analysis of GFP positive liver cells was by immunostaining and flow cytometry.