Peripheral blood monocytes from patients with HBV related decompensated liver cirrhosis can differentiate into functional hepatocytes.

Peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) have the potential to differentiate into various progenitor cells. Here we have investigated the differentiation potential of PBMCs derived from patients with HBV related decompensated liver cirrhosis into hepatocyte-like cells. In our clinical trial, the PBMCs from 2 patients were mobilized by the recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor, followed by leukapheresis and transplantation of PBMCs. PBMCs, induced by recombinant human hepatocyte growth factors, were identified by the expression of hepatocyte markers and specific biological functions with biochemical assays in vitro. Patients showed a lasting clinical amelioration for more than one year after transplantation, and hepatocyte-like cells were identified by expressing liver specific genes, synthesizing albumin, urea, aspirate transaminase, and glycogen, which were all similar to the human normal hepatic cell line QZG. Our results clearly demonstrated that mobilized PBMCs from patients with HBV related decompensated liver cirrhosis could differentiate into functional hepatocyte-like cells, indicating the possibility of autologous cell transplantation for treating patients with HBV related decompensated liver cirrhosis. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.