TTS 2012: Abstract submission now open !
01 October 2011 - 19:00 Filed in: Meetings
The International Program Committee of the 24th International Congress of The
Transplantation Society is pleased to invite the submission of scientific abstracts.
Please use this link to submit your abstract!
Transplantation Society is pleased to invite the submission of scientific abstracts.
Please use this link to submit your abstract!
CARS microscopy of MPIO
10 September 2011 - 09:43 Filed in: Publications | Projects
The fruitful cooperation with the FOM Institute AMOLF in Masterdam resulted in the paper "CARS microscopy for the visualization of micrometer-sized iron oxide MRI contrast agents in living cells" (Rago G, Langer CM, Brackman C, Day JP, Domke KF, Raschzok N, Schmidt C, Sauer IM, Enejder A, Mogl MT, Bonn M.) published in Biomed Opt Express. 2011 Sep 1;2(9):2470-83.
TTS 2012: Follow us via Twitter !
03 September 2011 - 10:56 Filed in: Meetings
Please join the mailing list and follow us via Twitter @TTS2012 for latest information concerning the 24th International Congress of The Transplantation Society to be held in Berlin, Germany from July 15th - 19th 2012 !
Fast dynamic MRI for during liver cell Tx
01 September 2011 - 09:50 Filed in: Publications
Nathanael Raschzok’s paper concerning „Feasibility of fast dynamic MRI for non-invasive monitoring during ectopic liver cell transplantation to the spleen in a porcine model“ was accepted for publication in American Journal of Roentgenology . Authors are N. Raschzok, J. Pinkernelle, N. Billecke, K. Nehls, M. Powerski, I.M. Sauer and U. Teichgraber.
Improved cold storage of human hepatocytes
31 August 2011 - 09:37 Filed in: Publications | Projects
Increasing amounts of human hepatocytes are needed for clinical applications and different fields of research, such as cell transplantation, bioartificial liver support and pharmacological testing. This demand calls for adequate storage options for isolated human liver cells. As cryopreservation results in severe cryoinjury, short term storage is currently performed at 2-8º C in preservation solutions developed for the storage of solid organs. However, besides slowing down cell metabolism, cold also induces cell injury, which is, in many cell types, iron-dependent and not counteracted by current storage solutions. In this study, we aimed to characterize storage injury to human hepatocytes and develop a customized solution for cold storage of these cells. Human hepatocytes were isolated from material obtained from partial liver resections, seeded in monolayer cultures and, after a pre-culture period, stored in the cold in classical and new solutions followed by rewarming in cell culture medium.Human hepatocytes displayed cold-induced injury, resulting in > 80% cell death (LDH release) after one week of cold storage in University of Wisconsin solution or cell culture medium and 3 h of rewarming. Cold-induced injury could be significantly reduced by the addition of the iron chelators deferoxamine and LK 614. Experiments with modified solutions based on the new organ preservation solution Custodiol-N showed that ion-rich variants were better than ion-poor variants, chloride-rich solutions better than chloride-poor solutions, potassium as main cation superior to sodium and pH 7.0 superior to pH 7.4. LDH release after two weeks of cold storage in the thus optimized solution was below 20%, greatly improving cold storage of human hepatocytes. The results were confirmed by the assessment of hepatocellular mitochondrial membrane potential and functional parameters (resazurin reduction, glucacon-stimulated glucose liberation) and thus suggest the use of a customized hepatocyte storage solution for the cold storage of these cells.
Profiles of microRNA after rat partial hepatectomy
10 March 2011 - 16:21 Filed in: Publications
Labelling of hepatocytes in suspension culture
01 March 2011 - 19:21 Filed in: Publications
Protocols for labelling of hepatocytes with micron-sized iron oxide particles (MPIO) in adhesion culture enable cell detection using clinical Magnetic Resonance equipment. For clinical applications, large numbers of cells must be labelled in a simple and rapid manner, which requires new labelling protocols. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of preparing MPIO-labelled primary human hepatocytes in a temporary suspension culture. Human hepatocytes were isolated from 16 donors and labelled with MPIO in suspension, using the Rotary Cell Culture System. Particle incorporation was investigated by light and electron microscopy. Cells were compared to adhesion culture-labelled and subsequently enzymatically resuspended cells. During a five-day culture period, hepatocyte-specific parameters of cell damage (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase) and metabolic activity (urea and albumin) were analysed. Suspension cultures showed a higher outcome in cell recovery compared to the conventional labelling method. When incubated with 180 particles/cell for four hours, the mean particle uptake was 28.8 particles/cell at a labelling efficiency of 95.1%. Labelling in suspension had no adverse effects on cell integrity or metabolic activity. In conclusion, labelling in suspension is a practicable method for fast and efficient preparation of large numbers of labelled cells that are suitable for clinical applications.
Monitoring cell transplantation in swine model via MRI
07 January 2011 - 19:22 Filed in: Publications
Liver cell transplantation (LCT) is a promising treatment approach for certain liver diseases, but clinical implementation requires methods for non-invasive follow-up. Labeling with superparamagnetic iron oxide particles can enable the detection of cells with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We investigated the feasibility of monitoring transplanted liver cells by MRI in a preclinical swine model and used this approach to evaluate different routes for cell application. Liver cells were isolated from landrace piglets and labeled with micron-sized iron oxide particles (MPIO) in adhesion. Labeled cells (n = 10), native cells (n = 3) or pure particles (n = 4) were transplanted to minipigs via intraportal infusion into the liver, direct injection into the splenic parenchyma, or intra-arterial infusion to the spleen. Recipients were investigated by repeated 3.0 Tesla MRI and computed tomography angiography up to 8 weeks after transplantation. Labeling with MPIO, which are known to have a strong effect on the magnetic field, enabled non-invasive detection of cell aggregates by MRI. Following intraportal application, which is commonly applied for clinical LCT, MRI was able to visualize the microembolization of transplanted cells in the liver that were not detected by conventional imaging modalities. Cells directly injected into the spleen were retained, whereas cell infusions intraarterially into the spleen led to translocation and engraftment of transplanted cells in the liver, with significantly fewer microembolisms compared to intraportal application. These findings demonstrate that MRI can be a valuable tool for non-invasive elucidation of cellular processes of LCT and - if clinically applicable MPIO are available - for monitoring of LCT under clinical conditions. Moreover, the results clarify mechanisms relevant for clinical practice of LCT, suggesting that the intra-arterial route to the spleen deserves further evaluation.
TTS 2012: www.transplantation2012.org is online!
02 January 2011 - 01:11 Filed in: Meetings
Following the exceptionally successful meetings in Boston, Sydney and Vancouver, we would like to welcome you to a city which twenty years after reunification has evolved into one of the most important capitals of Europe. Once the capital of Prussia and leading cultural centre of the 1920s, today the new capital of Germany is characterized by its dazzling modernity and breathtaking architecture. Berlin is young, dynamic and bursting with joie de vivre. Few cities has been shaped to such an extent by history and undergone as much major transformation as Berlin. “Berlin is always in the process of becoming”, remarked historian Karl Scheffler. Even in the 21st century transplantation still is in a process of becoming, too. Therefore, the 24th International Congress of The Transplantation Society will promote the dialogue of experts from around the world. An attractive scientific program will be developed together with the Deutsche Transplantationsgesellschaft (DTG).
The 24th Congress is designed for physicians, surgeons, scientists and organ procurement personnel, who are interested in clinical and research aspects of solid organ, cell and tissue transplantation. The program is developed to encourage the exchange of new scientific and clinical information, and and support an interchange of opinions regarding care and management issues, as well as socioeconomic, ethical and regulatory issues relevant to transplantation.
In addition to the classical types of scientific sessions including plenary sessions, symposia, workshops and poster presentations, we will also offer new types of scientific sessions within the Forum Futurum focusing on Tailored Pharmacotherapy, Imaging and Regenerative Medicine. All of this is designed to develop a highly interactive forum to discuss cutting-edge science in our field.
We therefore cordially invite you and your colleagues together with your friends and family to come to Berlin. Your active participation in the scientific program will be the fundament for a successful event in 2012.