In vitro transformed peripheral monocytes exhibit several hepatocyte-like characteristics: a functional analysis

Aims: Shortage of donor organs and side effects by the obligatory live-long immunosuppressive therapy lead the focus of scientific efforts at establishing cell based therapies. Transformed peripheral monocytes have been described as a possible source of hepatocyte-like cells (Ruhnke et al. 2005a; Ruhnke et al. 2005b). Generated from a CD90- positive precursor, these cells have been characterized for expression of hepatocyte-specific mRNAs, generation of urea as well as phase-I and phase-II metabolism. Yet, there is considerable variation between monocytes inter- and intraindividually. In addition, more data on h…