Health
Researchers design injectable mini livers to assist failing organs
MIT engineers designed injectable liver tissue to support failing organs, according to ScienceDaily.
The short version
- MIT engineers have created injectable mini livers intended to assist individuals suffering from liver failure.[ScienceDaily]
- A study in mice showed that injected liver cells survived for a minimum of two months.[ScienceDaily]
- Investigators suggest the technique could offer an alternative to surgical procedures or act as a temporary bridge to transplantation.[ScienceDaily]
- Patients would likely require immunosuppressive treatments to keep their immune systems from rejecting the transplanted cells.[ScienceDaily]
Key facts
- MIT engineers developed injectable mini liver grafts intended to assist failing liver function.[ScienceDaily]
- Mouse trials demonstrated that injected liver cells survived for at least two months.[ScienceDaily]
- Researchers envision the technology functioning as a bridge to transplant surgery or as an alternative procedure.[ScienceDaily]
What remains uncertain
- The existing approach would likely require recipients to take immunosuppressive drugs to avoid immune rejection.[ScienceDaily]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- MIT scientists develop injectable “mini livers” that work inside the bodyScienceDaily - Health