Preclinical swine models for monitoring of hepatocyte transplantation by MRI

Abstract

Hepatocyte transplantation is a promising approach for treatment of certain liver disorders, especially for metabolic liver disease in the juvenile. The lack of a clinically approved noninvasive imaging technique is a major limitation to the further development of hepatocyte transplantation. Cell tracking by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a promising approach for noninvasive monitoring of the fate of transplanted cells. Studies in large animal models are necessary to transfer this promising technique into the clinic.