Hepatocellular transplantation into the lung for temporary support of acute liver failure in the rat

Because hepatocyte transplantation into the spleen or the peritoneal cavity, although successful in rats, is more difficult and less successful in larger animals, the lung was chosen for its accessibility and its high oxygen content as a new site for hepatocyte implantation for treatment of acute hepatic failure. Acute hepatic failure was induced by a combination by a portocaval side-to-side shunt and an 80% liver resection, which was associated with a > 90% mortality. Hepatocyte transplantation was performed either by injection of 1 × 107 cells via the jugular vein (100% mortality) or 5–7 × 107 cells transcutaneously into the right lung (92% survival). After injection of the cell-free supernatant into the lung, 53.3% of the animals survived. If more than 90% of the liver was resected, none of the animals survived despite hepatocyte or supernatant injection. From these findings, it is concluded that the lung is a suitable home for hepatocytes. However, the hepatocytes survived only in cases of acute hepatic failure with some remaining vital liver parenchyma.