Abstract
Liver repopulation with bone marrow-derived hepatocytes (BMHs) can cure the genetic liver disease fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (Fah) defficiency 1 . BMHs emerge from fusion between donor bone marrow-derived cells and hosthepatocytes 2 . To use such in vivo cell fusion efficiently for therapy requires knowing the nature of the hematopoietic cells that fuse with hepatocytes. Here we show that the transplantation into Fah - / - mice of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from lymphocyte-deficient Rag1 - / - mice, lineage-committed granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (GMPs) or bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) results in the robust production of BMHs. These results provide direct evidence that committed myelomonocytic cells such as macrophages can produce functional epithelial cells by in vivo fusion. Because stable bone marrow engraftment or HSCs are not required for this process, macrophages or their highly proliferative progenitors provide potential for targeted and well-tolerated cell therapy aimed at organ regeneration.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
