SHE TASK

Stem Cell Research

Question:
How could the discovery and development of liver cells with stem cell-like properties potentially
eliminate the need for organ transplants?
 How could the discovery and development of liver cells with stem cell-like properties
potentially eliminate the need for organ transplants?

There are almost 100 different individual conditions that result in damage to the liver. These range from
Cirrhosis to hepatitis, which is the scarring of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases and
conditions and inflammation of the liver tissue, which leaves scarring, which can result in a possible liver Commented [AB1]: You have said that this at the
beginning when you said the conditions cause scarring.
failure. Damage to the liver is irreversible and if the damage is severe enough a liver transplant is the Sentence could have been shortened.
only affective treatment. New research led by scientists from King's College London suggests there may
be no need for organ transplants in the future with the discovery of liver cells with stem cell-like
properties.

By utilizing a method called single-cell RNA sequencing, researchers closely studied human fetal and
adult livers and discovered a cell called Hepatobiliary hybrid progenitor cell (HHyP). "For the first time,
we have found that cells with true stem cell-like properties may well exist in the human liver," says
hepatologist Tamir Rashid1. In utero, HHyP cells are responsible precursors for two types of cells called
hepatocytes (liver cell) and cholangiocytes (epithelial cells found on the surfaces of your body). They
also found small amounts of HHyP cells in the adult human liver. This discovery suggests there are
possibly several kinds of treatments that could regenerate damaged liver cells in place of invasive,
possibly dangerous, organ transplants. Commented [AB2]: Evidence of development, could have
been further discussed or highlighted as one of your explicit
SHE understanding connections.
"For the first time, we have found that cells with true stem cell like properties may well exist in
the human liver. This in turn could provide a wide range of regenerative medicine applications
for treating liver disease, including the possibility of bypassing the need for liver transplants"2.
Says lead author on the new research, Tamir Rashid.

A hypothetical possibility raised by the study is that induced pluripotent stem cells have the capacity to
turn into HHyP cells and then transplanted into a damaged liver. The ideal outcome would be the
regeneration of damaged tissue. It is also possible that there is potential for triggering activity in HHyP
cells in a persons damaged liver to kick-start the regeneration of healthy cells. "We now need to work
quickly to unlock the recipe for converting pluripotent stem cells into HHyPs so that we could transplant

1
A quote by Dr. Tamir Rashid https://www.sciencealert.com/discovery-of-a-new-liver-cell-could-make-liver-
transplants-redundant-scientists-say
2
A quote by Dr. Tamir Rashid https://newatlas.com/liver-cell-organ-regeneration-eliminate-transplants/60805/
those cells into patients at will,"3 explains Rashid. "In the longer term, we will also be working to see if
we can reprogram HHyPs within the body using traditional pharmacological drugs to repair diseased
livers without either cell or organ transplantation."4

In a study recently conducted using rats with acute liver injury, results have shown that the two cells
(progenitors and pluripotent) can restore liver mass and function5. It was also documented that when
one cell type in the rat is impaired, the other can perform similar tasks. To observe how the HHyP cell
would survive and multiply in the animal, the researchers injected human foetal HHyP’s into the kidney
of immunodeficient rats. After four weeks, the results show that the HHyP cell population had rapidly
multiplied and differentiated into hepatocytes.

Current research suggests a future without the use of organ transplants is close and promising. Research
is still a long way off using the progenitors in the replacement of liver transplants in humans however
the preliminary results are a big step forward and the study authors are already thinking of the future
possibilities.

3
A quote by Dr. Tamir Rashid https://newatlas.com/liver-cell-organ-regeneration-eliminate-transplants/60805/
4
A quote by Dr. Tamir Rashid https://newatlas.com/liver-cell-organ-regeneration-eliminate-transplants/60805/
5
Study conducted on rodents https://www.cell.com/cell-stem-cell/comments/S1934-5909(18)30288-1
Bibliography
Discovery of liver cell with stem cell-like properties could eliminate need for organ
transplants 2019, New Atlas, viewed 27 August 2019, <https://newatlas.com/liver-cell-organ-
regeneration-eliminate-transplants/60805/>.
Discovery of a Liver 'Stem Cell' Could One Day Make Liver Transplants Redundant2019, Science
Alert, viewed 27 August 2019, <https://www.sciencealert.com/discovery-of-a-new-liver-cell-could-
make-liver-transplants-redundant-scientists-say>.
Frequently Asked Questions 2019, National Institutes of Health, viewed 27 August 2019,
<https://stemcells.nih.gov/info/faqs.htm#whatare>.
Single cell analysis of human foetal liver captures the transcriptional profile of hepatobiliary hybrid
progenitors 2019, Nature Communications, viewed 27 August 2019,
<https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-11266-x>.
The Regenerative Altruism of Hepatocytes and Cholangiocytes 2019, Cell Stem Cell, viewed 27
August 2019, <https://www.cell.com/cell-stem-cell/comments/S1934-5909(18)30288-1>.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Investigation, Analysis and
Evaluation
A Designs a logical, coherent, and detailed
biological investigation.
Obtains records, and represents data, using
appropriate conventions and formats
accurately and highly effectively.
Systematically analyses and interprets data
and evidence to formulate logical
conclusions with detailed justification.
Critically and logically evaluates procedures
and their effects on data.
B Designs a well-considered and clear
biological investigation.
Obtains, records, and displays findings of
investigations, using appropriate
conventions and formats mostly accurately
and effectively.
Logically analyses and interprets data and
evidence to formulate suitable conclusions
with reasonable justification.
Logically evaluates procedures and their
effects on data.
C Designs a considered and generally clear
biological investigation.
Obtains, records, and displays findings of
investigations, using generally appropriate
conventions and formats with some errors
but generally accurately and effectively.
Undertakes some analysis and interpretation
of data and evidence to formulate generally
appropriate conclusions with some
justification.
Evaluates some procedures and some of
their effects on data.
D Prepares the outline of a biological
investigation.
Obtains, records, and displays findings of
investigations, using conventions and
formats inconsistently, with occasional
accuracy and effectiveness.
Describes data and undertakes some basic
interpretation to formulate a basic
conclusion.
Attempts to evaluate procedures or suggest
an effect on data.
Knowledge and Application
Demonstrates deep and broad knowledge and
understanding of a range of biological concepts.
Applies biological concepts highly effectively in
new and familiar contexts.
Critically explores and understands in depth the
interaction between science and society.
Communicates knowledge and understanding of
biology coherently with highly effective use of
appropriate terms, conventions and
representations.
Demonstrates some depth and breadth of
knowledge and understanding of a range of
biological concepts.
Applies biological concepts mostly effectively in
new and familiar contexts.
Logically explores and understands in some
depth the interaction between science and
society.
Communicates knowledge and understanding of
biology mostly coherently with effective use of
appropriate terms, conventions, and
representations.
Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of a
general range of biological concepts.
Applies biological concepts generally effectively
in new or familiar contexts.
Explores and understands aspects of the
interaction between science and society.
Communicates knowledge and understanding of
biology generally effectively using some
appropriate terms, conventions, and
representations.
Demonstrates some basic knowledge and partial
understanding of biological concepts.
Applies some biological concepts in familiar
contexts.
Partially explores and recognises aspects of the
interaction between science and society.
Communicates basic biological information, using
some appropriate terms, conventions, and/or
representations.
E Identifies a simple procedure for a biological
investigation.
Attempts to record and display some
descriptive results of an investigation, with
limited accuracy or effectiveness.
Attempts to describe results and/or interpret
data to formulate a basic conclusion.
Acknowledges that procedures affect data.
Demonstrates some limited recognition and
awareness of biological concepts.
Attempts to apply biological concepts in familiar
contexts.
Attempts to explore and identify an aspect of the
interaction between science and society.
Attempts to communicate information about
biology.