Repopulation of Liver Endothelium by Bone-marrow-derived Cells

Authors

Z. Gao, Dalhousie University
Vivian C. McAlister, Dalhousie University
G. M. Williams, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-24-2001

Journal

The Lancet

Volume

357

Issue

9260

First Page

932

Last Page

933

URL with Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(00)04217-3

Abstract

The mechanism underlying the immunological advantage of hepatic allografts relative to other organs is incompletely understood. We used molecular probes for the repetitive units on the Y chromosome, to identify an increasing number of male liver venous endothelial cells in needle biopsy samples of men who received female donor liver grafts. We have also shown repopulation of liver endothelium by bone marrow derived cells in a male to female mouse bone marrow transplant model. We conclude that the liver has unique venous endothelium characterised by turnover and replacement by bone marrow derived cells.

Notes

Dr. Vivian McAlister is currently a faculty member at The University of Western Ontario.