VSELs in patients affected by chronic liver disease_version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Detection and characterization of Very Small Embryonic Like cells in patient affected by chronic liver disease
IRAS ID
171768
Contact name
Irfan Ahmed
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Grampian
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
The incidence of liver disease due to cirrhosis is rising steadily with greater demand to search for safe and novel interventions. The current recommended treatment for end-stage liver disease is transplantation, but there is a worldwide shortage of donor organs. Stem cell therapy has been proposed as potential solution to counteract the liver disease by aiding liver regeneration. In the treatment of chronic liver disease, a stem cell capable of turning into adult liver cells would be ideal to restore the damaged liver. Recent studies has proposed that a new type of stem cells known as VSELs (very small embryonic like cells) may be an adequate candidate for this purpose. In fact these cells can be easily obtained from blood, and have shown regenerative potential in animals. The aim of the present study will be to isolate VSELs from the blood of patients with liver disease. Afterwards, our team of biologist will try to determine whether these cells have the properties of stem cells and if they can change into liver cells in a laboratory setting in the first instance.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/YH/0255
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jul 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion