Cell Based Liver Regeneration

The regenerative capacity of the liver has been recognized for centuries, but when it is overwhelmed by insulting stimuli or is chronically damaged, its regenerative capability is substantially reduced or lost. Researchers have been working to find solutions to cure failing human liver function. Given the ability of stem cells to self- renew and differentiate into specialized cell liver types, they represent an attractive strategy to replace lost liver function. This book begins by outlining the complex nature of human liver disease and proceeds to examine the potential that stem cell-based approaches have to offer.

This book is devoted to innovative medicine, comprising the proceedings of the Uehara Memorial Foundation Symposium 2014. It remains extremely rare for the findings of basic research to be developed into clinical applications, and it takes a long time for the process to be achieved. The task of advancing the development of basic research into clinical reality lies with translational science, yet the field seems to struggle to find a way to move forward. To create innovative medical technology, many steps need to be taken: development and analysis of optimal animal models of human diseases, elucidation of genomic and epidemiological data, and establishment of “proof of concept”. There is also considerable demand for progress in drug research, new surgical procedures, and new clinical devices and equipment. While the original research target may be rare diseases, it is also important to apply those findings more broadly to common diseases. The book covers a wide range of topics and is organized into three complementary parts. The first part is basic research for innovative medicine, the second is translational research for innovative medicine, and the third is new technology for innovative medicine. This book helps to understand innovative medicine and to make progress in its realization.

Cellular therapy with liver stem cells and their progeny, including bone marrow cells, is a promising new approach that will contribute significantly to the treatment of liver diseases. The existence of the liver stem cell had long been debated, but it is now generally accepted that the liver contains cells with stem-like properties and that these cells can be activated to proliferate and differentiate into mature hepatocytes under certain conditions. There is also a substantial body of evidence to suggest that oval cells are involved in liver regeneration as they differentiate into hepatocytes and biliary cells. This book is a collection of work on stem cell and liver regeneration, initially delivered at the 14th Yamaguchi (Japan) Symposium on Liver Disease. Its nine chapters present the most recent data about basic and clinical research in hepatology in Japan and other countries, providing a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners alike.

Doctors and scientists have been aware of the "phenomenom" of liver regeneration since the time of the ancient Greeks, illustrated by the mythic tale of Prometheus' punishment. Nevertheless, true insight into its intricate mechanisms have only become available in the 20th century. Since then, the pathways and mechanisms involved in restoring the liver to its normal function after injury have been resolutely described and characterized, from the hepatic stem/progenitor cell activation and expansion to the more systemic mechanisms involving other tissues and organs like bone-marrow progenitor cell mobilization. This book describes some of the complex mechanisms involved in liver regeneration and provides examples of the most up-to-date strategies used to induce liver regeneration, both in the clinic and in the laboratory. The information presented will hopefully benefit not only professionals in the liver field, but also people in other areas of science (pharmacology, toxicology, etc) that wish to expand their knowledge of the fundamental biology that orchestrates liver injury and regeneration.

Stem cell therapy is a fast-growing field of medicine with remarkable prospects in a broad spectrum of diseases. Cell-Based Liver Regeneration: Current Aspects and Future Approaches addresses the full spectrum of regenerative medicine in liver diseases. Coverage will include the basic science, current research and a comprehensive review of clinical trials conducted in the field. The book will discuss the various types of stem cells for liver regeneration, presenting the advantages and disadvantages of each type. A review of all aspects of implanting stem cell therapy for the liver, such as: choosing the cell type, the source, laboratory manipulation, dose, route and follow-up. The book concludes with a full discussion of the current clinical trials involving cellular therapy in liver regeneration. Cell-Based Liver Regeneration: Current Aspects and Future Approaches is written for stem cell biologists, liver biologists, hepatologists and graduate students by authors with extensive knowledge in basic, pre-clinical and clinical stem cell research. Introduces basic concepts of liver regeneration Discusses the various types of stem cells used in liver regeneration Explores published and ongoing clinical trials involving cellular therapy in liver regeneration

This invaluable resource discusses clinical applications with effects and side-effects of applications of stem cells in liver, lung and heart regeneration. All chapters are contributed by pre-eminent scientists in the field and covers such topics as cell therapy in the treatment of cirrhosis and other liver, heart and lung diseases, characteristics of hepatic progenitor cells, future directions of the discussed therapies and much more. Liver, Lung and Heart Regeneration and the other books in the Stem Cells in Clinical Applications series will be invaluable to scientists, researchers, advanced students and clinicians working in stem cells, regenerative medicine or tissue engineering.

In recent years there has been an increasing need for transplantation, but the number of donor livers available has increased only slightly, despite intensive public relations activities. New concepts in the field of transplantation, for instance the transplantation of living donor organs or the splitting of organs, are urgently required, to safeguard the treatment of patients with severe liver disease. The development and clinical application of cell therapy for patients with liver disease could soon present a significant enhancement of the therapeutic options. The aim of such cell therapy is to repair or improve the biological function of the chronically and acutely damaged liver. Even though systematic trials are not available, individual case reports and small series already show promising clinical results. Present concepts of cell therapy for liver diseases based on the use of primary hepatocytes have recently been considerably extended through new data on the biology of stem cells. The adult haematopoetic stem cell as a pool for hepatocyte grafts - what would be the perspectives for the clinical application? This book is the proceedings of the Falk Symposium No. 126 on `Hepatocyte Transplantation' (Progress in Gastroenterology and Hepatology Part III) held in Hannover, Germany, October 2-3, 2001, and is a forum for basic research, but also for questions concerning clinical applications in the field of hepatocyte transplantation.