Brazilian researchers at the Human Genome and Stem Cell Institute in São Paulo have successfully bioprinted functional liver organoids—miniature livers derived from human blood cells. These organoids perform key liver functions, offering promising advancements for organ transplantation.
Published in the journal Biofabrication on November 27, 2019, the study details how experts created a functional mini-liver using 3D bioprinting. This organoid replicates essential liver roles, including protein synthesis, vitamin storage, and bile secretion.
The team integrated advanced bioengineering methods, combining pluripotent stem cell cultures, cell reprogramming, and 3D bioprinting. A key innovation: entire cell spheroids were embedded in bio-ink before extrusion, unlike prior approaches using isolated cells.
The process took just 90 days, starting from patient blood collection. Blood cells were reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), differentiated into liver cells (hepatocytes), and formed into spheroids mixed with bio-ink for printing.
Project leads produced three mini-livers from stem cells of different donors to validate the technique, assess organ function, and ensure cell connectivity. Results outperformed previous methods with individual cells, and the scalable process holds potential for broader applications.
This could transform organ transplantation by reducing long waiting lists. For context, in China, organ shortages have sparked controversial research, such as cloning pigs for xenotransplants, as reported in 2017 studies.
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