Development of Ectopic Livers by Hepatocyte Transplantation Into Swine Lymph Nodes

In this swine model using surgically-induced liver injuries, liver cells were isolated from the animals and then transplanted into lymph nodes in the abdominal region of the animal. In 100% of the animals the transplanted liver cells engrafted into the lymph nodes, proliferated, and formed ectopic mini-livers, which had the same structure and function as native liver tissue.

View the full peer-reviewed scientific paper at National Institutes of Health.