Polymer systems cell transplantation matrix

These findings have led us to conclude that the matrix to which the cells are attached in vitro would be one of the most important variables of our system as we continued to search for the ideal polymer matrix. The hepatocyte-polymer scaffolds, created as described above, were tlaen implanted into the omentum, the interscapular fat pad, or the mesentery of the recipient animal for varying periods of time. We avoided surgical trauma as much as possible, because any fibrin clot or hematoma formation would decrease the ability to nourish the cells by diffusion. The rat was used as the animal model for hepatocyte transplantation, because there existed several models of metabolic deficiency states representative of human liver disease. 

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