Application of Collagen Scaffolds for Hepatic Stem-Like Cell Transplantation

Tissue engineering using somatic stem cells is a new and exciting techniquewhich has the potential to facilitate tissue reconstruction. Recent studies on tissueengineering have indicated advantages in using collagen matrices to restitute the structureof an organ. Here we have demonstrated the efficacy of transplantation of hepaticstem-like (HSL) cells, a previously established liver epithelial cell line with potential fordifferentiation, using type I collagen sponge. To this end, HSL cells were cultured andtransplanted into Nagase's analbuminemic rat with spongy type I collagen matrices.Consequently, HSL was able to express both albumin and TAT after the culture incollagen sponge. In addition, the levels of serum albumin in recipient rats were foundto increase up to 1.5 fold relative to controls after transplantation. These findingssuggest that HSL cells are able to differentiate into functional hepatocytes, and thatbiodegradable collagen sponge may enhance hepatic differentiation of HSL cells byproviding an appropriate microenvironment.