PATENTS, RESEARCH, AND RESOURCES

The following resources cover patents and research on liver cirrhosis and cell regeneration research and development. For a more complete understanding of liver treatments, please get in touch with the research team with a specific enquiry.

PATENTS

Human Autocell owns the following patents in the field of matric cell implantation

Patent No. 20100028405 (2nd April, 2010)
Matrix, Cell Implantation and Method for their Production and Use
The invention relates to porous matrices based on a biologically compatible polymer or polymer mixture, to a cell implantation that is established on said matrices and to additional cell implantation based on cell mixtures of hepatocytes and islets of Langerhans. The invention also relates to a method for producing porous matrices, to matrices obtained according to said method and to a special method for obtaining cells for the inoculation of an implantable matrix.

Patent No. 20090130699 (May 21st, 2009)
Method for Testing Substances on Biomatrices
The invention relates to a method for testing one or several substances. According to said method, a tissue equivalent is cultivated, the substance/s is/are made to affect the tissue equivalent, and it is determined whether the effect of the substance/s has resulted in a modification of the tissue equivalent and/or the substance/s. The tissue equivalent comprises at least one cell and a porous matrix based on a biologically compatible polymer or polymer mixture. The matrix is provided with pores having a maximum size of 150 μm as well as pores having a minimum size of 300 μm while the degree of porosity is 93 to 98 per cent.

PUBLICATIONS

Latest Liver Cirrhosis and Cell Regeneration Research and Development.

  1. Hepatic Regeneration in Cirrhosis
    This publication reviews the mechanisms of liver regeneration and current therapeutic approaches for enhancing liver regenerative capacities in patients with liver cirrhosis. It discusses the role of hepatocyte progenitor cells and bone marrow stem cells in liver regeneration and the challenges of fibrosis and inflammation in cirrhosis. The paper highlights ongoing research to reverse the fibrosis process and improve liver function in cirrhosis patients.
    Cell Therapy in End-stage Liver Disease: Replace and Remodel
  2. Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Liver Regeneration in Liver Failure
    This article explores the development of mesenchymal stem cell-based therapies for liver regeneration, particularly in the context of liver failure and cirrhosis. It discusses the potential of these therapies to improve liver function and the challenges that remain in translating these findings into clinical practice.
    Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Liver Regeneration in Liver Failure: From Experimental Models to Clinical Trials
  3. Editorial: Cell Therapy, Liver Diseases, and Regeneration
    This editorial discusses the potential of cell-based therapies as alternatives to liver transplantation for treating liver diseases, including cirrhosis. It reviews various types of stem cells and their roles in liver regeneration and the need for more research to optimize these therapies for clinical use.
    Editorial: Cell Therapy, Liver Diseases, and Regeneration
  4. Emerging Synthetic Drugs for the Treatment of Liver Cirrhosis
    This review summarizes the current landscape of drug development for liver cirrhosis, focusing on the lack of approved antifibrotic or pro-regenerative drugs. It highlights ongoing clinical trials and the potential for new synthetic drugs to improve patient outcomes in cirrhosis.
    Emerging synthetic drugs for the treatment of liver cirrhosis
  5. Mfap4: A Promising Target for Enhanced Liver Regeneration
    This study investigates the role of Mfap4 in liver regeneration and chronic liver disease. The findings suggest that targeting Mfap4 could enhance hepatocyte proliferation and improve liver regeneration, providing a potential therapeutic avenue for patients with liver diseases.
    Mfap4: A Promising Target for Enhanced Liver Regeneration and Chronic Liver Disease Treatment

The Latest Advancements in Cell Therapy for Liver Cirrhosis

  1. Macrophage Cell Therapy
    A study led by the University of Edinburgh, known as the MATCH trial, demonstrated that macrophage cell therapy could significantly reduce the risk of serious liver-related complications in patients with cirrhosis. The therapy uses macrophages derived from the patient’s blood, promoting tissue repair. Results showed that none of the patients treated with macrophages experienced liver-related complications after one year, compared to four in the control group. This promising outcome suggests the potential for macrophage therapy to prevent hospital admissions and fatalities associated with liver cirrhosis.
    New Study Shows Macrophage Cell Therapy Holds Promise to Treat People with Liver Cirrhosis
  2. Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) Therapy
    Recent research highlights the effectiveness of MSC therapy in improving liver function and reducing fibrosis in cirrhosis patients. Studies indicate that MSCs can facilitate liver regeneration through immunomodulation and differentiation. Current investigations are focusing on optimizing MSC sources and treatment protocols. For instance, a systematic review found MSC therapy to be safe and effective, with ongoing trials further exploring its potential benefits in liver disease management.
    Stem Cell Therapy for Liver Disease: Benefits & Risks (2024)
  3. Combination Therapies and Novel Approaches
    There is a growing interest in combining various cell types for enhanced therapeutic effects. Research is exploring the use of hepatocyte-like cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and organoids, which show promise due to their higher viability and engraftment efficiency. These approaches aim to create a more robust regenerative environment in the liver, addressing the challenges of cell acquisition and immune rejection.
    Cell Therapy in End-stage Liver Disease: Replace and Remodel
  4. Clinical Trials and Future Directions
    Ongoing clinical trials are crucial for validating the efficacy and safety of these therapies. The OPAL and EMERALD studies are set to further investigate the macrophage therapy developed from the MATCH trial, focusing on the progression of end-stage liver disease and the safety of modified macrophages.
    New Study Shows Macrophage Cell Therapy Holds Promise to Treat People with Liver Cirrhosis

Impact of the Regeneration Capacity of the Liver on the Effectiveness of Cell Therapy

  1. Cell Replacement and Remodeling
    The liver is renowned for its remarkable regenerative capacity, capable of restoring itself even after substantial damage. As little as 25% of the liver mass can regenerate to its full size, which is vital for maintaining liver function and homeostasis. This inherent ability allows the liver to recover from acute injuries effectively, making it a unique organ in the context of cell therapy.
    Cell Therapy in End-stage Liver Disease: Replace and Remodel
  2. Challenges in Chronic Conditions
    While the liver can regenerate, chronic liver damage (as seen in cirrhosis) limits this capacity. In chronic conditions, the regenerative response may be insufficient due to ongoing inflammation and fibrosis, which can hinder the proliferation of both native and transplanted cells. This limitation necessitates strategies to enhance the regenerative environment, such as using growth factors or reprogramming factors to rejuvenate liver cells.
    Cell Therapy in End-stage Liver Disease: Replace and Remodel
  3. Cell Quality and Function
    The effectiveness of cell therapy is also dependent on the quality and functional maturity of the transplanted cells. Research indicates that stem cells can be induced to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells, but their functionality must be assessed in vivo to ensure they can effectively contribute to liver regeneration. The liver’s ability to regenerate can influence how well these transplanted cells perform, especially in terms of metabolic functions and integration into the hepatic architecture.
    Editorial: Cell therapy, liver diseases, and regeneration
  4. Innovative Approaches
    Recent advancements, such as the use of reprogramming molecules (Yamanaka factors), have shown promise in enhancing liver regeneration by partially resetting liver cells to more youthful states, thereby improving their growth and regenerative potential. These techniques aim to leverage the liver’s natural regenerative abilities to improve the outcomes of cell therapies.
    Cellular Regeneration Therapy Restores Damaged Liver Tissue Faster Than Ever

Improving the Efficiency of Cell Therapy for Liver Diseases

1. Enhancing Cell Sources and Quality

  1. Stem Cell Utilization
    Using stem cells, particularly induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), can provide a more abundant and versatile source of hepatocyte-like cells. These cells have shown promise in differentiating into functional liver cells and can be expanded ex vivo before transplantation.
    Cell Therapies for Liver Diseases
    Cell Therapy in End-stage Liver Disease: Replace and Remodel
  2. Organoids and Progenitor Cellstem Cell Utilization
    Developing liver organoids from various cell types, including iPSCs and cholangiocytes, offers a high-viability cell source for therapy. These organoids can mimic liver function and structure, enhancing the potential for successful engraftment and integration into the host liver.
    Cell Therapy in End-stage Liver Disease: Replace and Remodel
    Hepatic Regeneration in Cirrhosis

2. Optimizing Cell Delivery Methods

  1. Targeted Delivery
    Improving cell delivery methods, such as intrasplenic or peritoneal infusion, can enhance the engraftment rates of transplanted cells. These methods may provide a more favourable environment for the cells to thrive than traditional intravenous routes.
    Cell Therapy in End-stage Liver Disease: Replace and Remodel
    Hepatic Regeneration in Cirrhosis
  2. Use of Biomaterials
    Employing biomaterials, such as hydrogels or scaffolds, can support cell survival and function post-transplantation. These materials can provide a conducive microenvironment that mimics the extracellular matrix, promoting cell attachment and growth.
    Cell Therapy in End-stage Liver Disease: Replace and Remodel

3. Modulating the Immune Response

  1. Immunosuppression Strategies
    Developing tailored immunosuppressive regimens can help reduce the risk of rejection of transplanted cells. Utilizing regulatory T cells or other immune-modulating therapies may enhance the acceptance of transplanted cells in the liver.
    Cell Therapies for Liver Diseases
    Cell Therapy in End-stage Liver Disease: Replace and Remodel
  2. Cytokine Stimulation
    Administering specific cytokines that promote cell survival and proliferation can improve the outcomes of cell therapy. For example, using granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has shown potential in mobilizing stem cells and enhancing liver regeneration in certain patient populations.
    Hepatic Regeneration in Cirrhosis

4. Promoting Cellular Rejuvenation

  1. Reprogramming Factors
    Research into using reprogramming factors, such as the Yamanaka factors (Oct-3/4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc), has shown that partially resetting liver cells to a more youthful state can enhance their regenerative capacity. This approach could lead to faster and more effective healing of damaged liver tissue.
    Cellular Regeneration Therapy Restores Damaged Liver Tissue Faster Than Ever

5. Clinical Trials and Research

  1. Ongoing Clinical Trials
    Continued clinical trials are essential to evaluate the safety and efficacy of various cell therapies. These trials help identify the most effective combinations of cell types, delivery methods, and adjunct therapies to improve patient outcomes.
    Cell Therapies for Liver Diseases
    Cell Therapy in End-stage Liver Disease: Replace and Remodel
    Hepatic Regeneration in Cirrhosis
  2. Addressing Barriers
    Research is focused on overcoming barriers such as low engraftment rates and insufficient cell proliferation in the diseased liver. Understanding the liver’s microenvironment and the role of non-parenchymal cells in regeneration can inform more effective therapies.
    Stem Cells in Liver Regeneration and Therapy
    Hepatic Regeneration in Cirrhosis

USEFUL RESOURCES

This section refers the visitor to useful resources, both offline and online, on liver disease, hepatitis, and contributory causes of liver disease. It also provides useful links to patient care organisations set up to support the medical profession and patient sufferers. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list.

Non-invasive tests for evaluation of liver disease severity and prognosis
Link

Hepatitis C will become a rare disease in 22 years, study predicts
Link

Model of viral lifecycle could help in finding a cure for hepatitis B
Link

Study Reverses Current Thought On Cirrhosis
Link

A new model of liver regeneration: Switch causes mature liver cells to revert back to stem-cell-like state:
Link

Liver Cancer Screening Beneficial for Cirrhosis
Link

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