High Dose Versus Low Dose Syngeneic Hepatocyte Transplantation in Pex1-G844D NMRI Mouse Model is Safe but Does Not Achieve Long Term Engraftment

Cell therapy in end-stage liver disease: replace and remodel

Liver disease is prevalent worldwide. When it reaches the end stage, mortality rises to 50% or more. Although liver transplantation has emerged as the most efficient treatment for end-stage liver disease, its application has been limited by the scarcity of donor livers. The lack of acceptable donor organs implies that patients are at high risk while waiting for suitable livers. In this scenario, cell therapy has emerged as a promising treatment approach. Most of the time, transplanted cells can replace host hepatocytes and remodel the hepatic microenvironment. For instance, hepatocytes derived from donor livers or stem cells colonize and proliferate in the liver, can replace host hepatocytes, and restore liver function. Other cellular therapy candidates, such as macrophages and mesenchymal stem cells, can remodel the hepatic microenvironment, thereby repairing the damaged liver. In recent years, cell therapy has transitioned from animal research to early human studies. In this review, we will discuss cell therapy in end-stage liver disease treatment, especially focusing on various cell types utilized for cell transplantation, and elucidate the processes involved. Furthermore, we will also summarize the practical obstacles of cell therapy and offer potential solutions.

The Nitric Oxide Donor, S-Nitrosoglutathione, Rescues Peroxisome Number and Activity Defects in PEX1G843D Mild Zellweger Syndrome Fibroblasts

Peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBDs) are a group of metabolic developmental diseases caused by mutations in one or more genes encoding peroxisomal proteins. Zellweger syndrome spectrum (PBD-ZSS) results from metabolic dysfunction caused by damaged or non-functional peroxisomes and manifests as a multi-organ syndrome with significant morbidity and mortality for which there is no current drug therapy. Mild PBD-ZSS patients can exhibit a more progressive disease course and could benefit from the identification of drugs to improve the quality of life and extend the lifespan of affected individuals. Our study used a high-throughput screen of FDA-approved compounds to identify compounds that improve peroxisome function and biogenesis in human fibroblast cells carrying the mild PBD-ZSS variant, PEX1G843D. Our screen identified the nitrogen oxide donor, S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), as a potential therapeutic for this mild form of PBD-ZSS. Further biochemical characterization showed that GSNO enhances both peroxisome number and function in PEX1G843D mutant fibroblasts and leads to increased survival and longer lifespan in an in vivo humanized Drosophila model carrying the PEX1G843D mutation. GSNO is therefore a strong candidate to be translated to clinical trials as a potential therapeutic for mild PBD-ZSS.