WASHINGTON, June 18 – The clinical and basic science findings of more than a dozen studies are being presented by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh's McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine at a joint meeting of the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs and the International Society for Artificial Organs. Scientific sessions take place June 18 to 21 at the Hilton Washington. Among these findings are:
Success reported in growing functioning liver tissue in a bioreactor
Growing functioning liver tissue in a fist-sized device that works in a way similar to kidney dialysis has kept patients in liver failure alive until donor organs have become available, according to Jörg Gerlach, M.D., Ph.D., professor of surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. "We have treated eight patients in acute liver failure – some of whom were in a coma – who were able to be bridged to transplant," said Dr. Gerlach, who also is a faculty member of the university's McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
Dr. Gerlach and his colleagues have been able to grow functioning liver tissue from human liver stem cells derived from organs that had been deemed unsuitable for transplant because of damage or underlying disease. Such cells have been shown to proliferate and form liver-like tissues in bioreactors, and persist in culture for many weeks.
About 25 million Americans – one in 10 –have liver disease, according to the American Liver Foundation. More than 43,000 people die of liver disease yearly. Annual hospitalization costs exceed $8 billion. Dr. Gerlach's bioreactor could have an impact for the sickest of these patients, who often do not survive the wait for transplantation or become too sick to qualify for a transplant.
These findings are being presented in a poster session beginning Thursday, June 19.
Tissue-engineered materials continue to show promise as treatment for heart defects
Research on tissue-engineered materials continue to show promise as a treatment for heart defects, reports William Wagner, Ph.D., associate professor of surgery and bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and a deputy director of the McGowan Institute.
Researchers in Dr. Wagner's laboratory have developed a novel, flexible and biodegradable material based on a specialized polymer that is porous to encourage the infiltration and growth of cells. This "cardiac patch" was tested in the repair of defects in adult rats.
After four weeks, the patches and nearby tissue were studied for evidence of inflammation, scarring and proper cell growth. Results show encouraging levels of repair and cell regeneration with minimal signs of inflammation. "Future application of this material as a cellular scaffold in cardiovascular tissue engineering appears promising," Dr. Wagner said.
This work is scheduled for presentation on Saturday, June 21.
Invited lecture, symposium feature McGowan faculty
Also scheduled are discussions featuring David Vorp, Ph.D., associate professor in the departments of surgery and bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and William Federspiel, Ph.D., associate professor of chemical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Vorp, who also is director of the Vascular Biomechanics and Vascular Tissue Engineering Research laboratories at the McGowan Institute, was invited to present an overview as well as new data on "Tissue Engineered Blood Vessels" beginning at 1 p.m., Thursday, June 19. Dr. Vorp and his colleagues are working to create functioning blood vessels by using adult-derived stem cells from bone marrow. He will discuss current research on this effort, including evidence of the use of mechanical stress to guide the differentiation of stem cells into vascular cells.
Dr. Federspiel, who is director of the McGowan Institute's Artificial Lung laboratory, is one of five panelists taking part in a symposium session on "Artificial Lung and Gas Exchange," beginning at 1 p.m., Friday, June 20. Dr. Federspiel is chief bioengineer on a project to develop the Hattler Respiratory Catheter, an artificial lung designed to support damaged or diseased lungs on a temporary basis during healing. The device is undergoing extensive testing in animal models and is being developed commercially by a spin-off company, ALung Technologies Inc.
Late last year, Pittsburgh researchers partnered with U.S. Army scientists on a project to evaluate the merit of the device for use in battlefield medicine – particularly as a possible treatment for lung injuries sustained in biochemical attacks. That collaboration continues at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, a major training center for combat physicians.
"The development of artificial organ systems is a vital part of what the McGowan Institute does," said Alan J. Russell, Ph.D., director of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine. "Advances in research that are made in Pittsburgh every day have the potential to affect lasting change on the future treatment of many disorders, including heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, stroke, cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy."
Established by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine has a broad mission to develop a premier facility for clinical care, teaching and research in regenerative medicine, including organ and tissue engineering, artificial organs and cellular and other regenerative therapies.
The institute is named for the late William G. McGowan, founder of MCI Communications, who underwent a successful heart transplant at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in 1987. He died in 1992.
Members of the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs represent more than 30 professional degree specialties working in government or academic institutions and industry in more than 40 countries.
The mission of the International Society of Artificial Organs is to increase and encourage knowledge and research on artificial organs, to facilitate the international exchange of knowledge, and to educate its members in the improvement and optimal use of artificial organs.
CONTACT: Michele D. Baum
Lisa Rossi
PHONE: 412-647-3555
FAX: 412-624-3184
E-MAIL: BaumMD@upmc.edu
RossiL@upmc.edu