BACKGROUND _ AIMS: Substitution of hepatocyte transplantation for whole liver transplants in selected individuals with @entity409 could significantly expand the number of @entity1 to benefit from use of scarce donor livers. However, successful hepatocyte transplantation may require that donor cells retain normal functional and proliferative capabilities and that they be readily available. Banking of cryopreserved hepatocytes would fulfill the latter requirement. Cryopreservation protocols have been developed that minimize hepatocyte injury and allow preservation of metabolic activity. The aim of this study was to assess cryopreserved hepatocyte proliferative capacity in vivo after thawing. METHODS: Fresh and frozen/thawed @entity19 hepatocytes were transferred separately into the livers of recipient @entity19 with transgene-induced @entity409 , an environment that is permissive for clonal expansion of donor cell populations. Fresh and cryopreserved donor cells were compared for their ability to proliferate and replace damaged parenchyma. RESULTS: Although cryopreservation decreased hepatocyte viability, individual viable frozen/thawed hepatocytes demonstrated clonal replicative potential identical to that of fresh hepatocytes. Even after storage for 32 months in liquid @entity1568 , transplanted hepatocytes constituting 0.1% of total adult hepatocyte number could repopulate a mean of 32% of recipient @entity409 . CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that cryopreserved hepatocytes represent an appropriate source of cells for therapeutic hepatocyte transplantation.

Cryopreserved XXXX hepatocytes retain regenerative capacity in vivo.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity1568 :: ('MESH:D009584', 'Chemical') :: ['nitrogen'] @entity409 :: ('MESH:D008107', 'Disease') :: ['liver parenchyma', 'liver disease'] @entity19 :: ('10090', 'Species') :: ['mice', 'mouse']
@entity19 :: (10090,Species) :: ['mouse']
