Biologists from the Karolinska Institute transplanted liver cells from mice into the corneas of their eyes, which made it possible to monitor the condition of the liver in real time. The research was published in the journal Nature Communication.
To stop or slow the progression of liver diseases such as fatty liver disease, the underlying mechanisms need to be identified at an early stage. However, this is difficult due to the need to use invasive methods.
In the new study, scientists transplanted liver cells (spheroids) into the anterior chamber of the eyes of mice. The cells attached to the eye began to be supplied with the blood vessels and nerves necessary for their function and survival. They also accumulated the same amount of fat as the animal’s liver. This suggests that the performance of the transplanted cells reflects the health of the original organ.
Scientists have been transplanting cells and mini-organs into the anterior chamber of the eye in mice since 2008. The new study will enable continuous and detailed monitoring at the cellular level of changes that occur in the liver during the development of diseases or in response to drugs.
“In recent years, our method has proven to be a powerful research tool in monitoring insulin-producing pancreatic islets during the development of type 2 diabetes. The platform has now been extended to liver research, demonstrating the potential for this tool to be used in other areas of medicine,” the authors noted.
used to be a doctor said About the risk factors of dangerous liver disease.