Human liver organoids generated with single donor-derived multiple cells rescue mice from acute liver failure

Background Acute liver failure (ALF) is a life-threatening disease with a high mortality rate. However, there are limited treatments or devices available for ALF therapy. Here, we aimed to develop a new strategy for ALF treatment by transplanting functional liver organoids (LOs) generated from single donor-derived human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) endoderm, endothelial cells (ECs), and mesenchymal cells (MCs). Methods First, we isolated ECs and MCs from a single donor umbilical cord (UC) through enzyme digestion and characterized the UC-ECs and UC-MCs by flow cytometry. Second, using a nonviral reprogramming method, we generated same donor-derived hiPSCs from the UC-ECs and investigated their hepatic differentiation abilities. Finally, we simultaneously plated EC-hiPSC endoderm, UC-ECs, and UC-MCs in a three-dimensional (3D) microwell culture system, and generated single donor cell-derived differentiated LOs for ALF mouse treatment. Results We obtained ECs and MCs from a single donor UC with high purity, and these cells provided a multicellular microenvironment that promoted LO differentiation. hiPSCs from the same donor were generated from UC-ECs, and the resultant EC-hiPSCs could be differentiated efficiently into pure definitive endoderm and further into hepatic lineages. Simultaneous plating of EC-hiPSC endoderm, UC-ECs, and UC-MCs in the 3D microwell system generated single donor cell-derived LOs (SDC-LOs) that could be differentiated into functional LOs with enhanced hepatic capacity as compared to that of EC-hiPSC-derived hepatic-like cells. When these functional SDC-LOs were transplanted into the renal subcapsules of ALF mice, they rapidly assumed hepatic functions and improved the survival rate of ALF mice. Conclusion These results demonstrate that functional LOs generated from single donor cells can improve the condition of ALF mice. Functional SDC-LO transplantation provides a promising novel approach for ALF therapy.