International Journal of Cell Cloning, Vol 4, 237-249, Copyright © 1986 by AlphaMed Press
The fetal liver as an alternative stem cell source for hemolymphopoietic reconstitution
O Prummer and TM Fliedner
In mammalian ontogeny, the liver constitutes the primary hematopoietic
organ for some time. Fetal liver cells (FLC) are rich in hematopoietic stem
cells with a high proliferative potential but contain few post- thymic T
cells. In animal studies, FLC restored hematopoiesis without severe
graft-versus-host disease. However, genetic disparity between donor and
host frequently limited durable engraftment and prevented or protracted
complete immune reconstitution in most fully allogeneic recipients. Some
children with severe combined immunodeficiency have been cured by FLC
infusion, whereas favorable effects in aplastic anemia, acute leukemia, and
inborn errors of metabolism have been limited and badly understood. Fetal
liver transplantation in animals may serve as a model for the analysis and
management of complications associated with the transfer of purified
hematopoietic stem cell grafts and aid in the development of future
therapeutic strategies requiring rapidly proliferating stem cell
populations.
