Improvement of Hepatocyte-like Cell Function and Production by autologous Sera

Hepatocyte-like cells (NeoHepatocytes) deriving from peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) seem to be a promising alternative to primary human hepatocytes regarding both cell transplantation in case of different liver diseases and in-vitro toxicity-tests. Aim of this study was to optimize the production and differentiation of NeoHepatocytes for achieving higher amounts of cells. PBMCs were isolated by density gradient centrifugation and dedifferentiated to "programmable cells of monocytic origin“ (PCMOs) with IL-3 and M-CSF. The medium was supplemented with different human AB sera or with the corresponding autologo…