Human Monocyte-Derived “Neo-Hepatocytes“ Produce Albumin After Intrasplenic Injection in Nonalbumenic Rats

There is growing interest in new therapeutic options for the treatment of end-stage liver diseases. Recently first cases of human primary hepatocyte transplantations are reported. We have generated Neo-hepatocytes out of human monocytes after which express hepatocyte specific antigens and function and were able to produce Albumin in non-albumenic rats. Methods: Monocytes were isolated from human blood and after a six day treatment with MCSF and IL–3 were then exposed to a hepatocyte differentiation media containing FGF4 for 10 to 20 days. Neo-hepatocytes were analyzed for Albumin, Cytochrome P450 2D6 and 2C9, Co…