Recent developments in bioartificial livers based on microcarrier technology

Liver failure without transplantation is associated with high morbidity and mortality.Artificial liver support systems,particularly bioartificial livers,are one possible solution for bridging the time to transplantation and/or recovery from liver failure.Bioartificial livers comprise bioreactors containing hepatocytes,and provide both biotransformation and synthetic liver functions.The hepatocytes can be either allogeneic or xenogeneic(animal origin).The patient's blood or plasma circulates through the bioreactors and is returned to the patient after toxic compounds have been cleared and synthesized products added by the hepatocytes.The successful long-term propagation and culture of both human and pig hepatocytes and the development of adequate biocompatible microcarrier modules means that it is now possible to achieve sufficient hepatocyte density per unit volume to develop bioartificial liver systems.Hollow-fiber bioreactors filled with hepatocytes growing on microcarriers are widely used.The development of a bioartifical liver support system is a particularly appealing and pragmatic approach to the future treatment of liver failure.