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Viability criteria assessment during liver machine perfusion

Nature Biotechnology volume 38, pages 1260–1262 (2020)Cite this article

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The Original Article was published on 13 January 2020

arising from Eshmuminov, D. et al. Nature Biotechnology https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-019-0374-x (2020)

We read with great interest the publication by Eshmuminov et al. showing ex situ preservation of livers in a functional state for 1 week by normothermic machine perfusion (NMP)1. The authors report a thoughtful, stepwise approach for integration of multiple core physiological functions of the liver in their custom-made perfusion system and convincingly show preserved liver function after 7-day perfusion. Although the preserved livers described are functional, we would like to emphasize that their suitability for human transplantation remains unsubstantiated. Here, we discuss emerging research on markers that may provide confidence in the assessment of viability criteria for liver transplantation.

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No datasets were generated or analyzed during this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands

    Isabel M. A. Brüggenwirth, Vincent E. de Meijer & Robert J. Porte

  2. Department of Surgery, Division of Organ Transplantation, UMass Memorial Medical Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA

    Isabel M. A. Brüggenwirth & Paulo N. Martins

Authors
  1. Isabel M. A. Brüggenwirth
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  2. Vincent E. de Meijer
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  3. Robert J. Porte
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  4. Paulo N. Martins
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Contributions

I.M.A.B. performed literature review and drafted the manuscript; P.N.M. drafted the work; V.E.d.M., R.J.P. and P.N.M. critically revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Paulo N. Martins.

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Brüggenwirth, I.M.A., de Meijer, V.E., Porte, R.J. et al. Viability criteria assessment during liver machine perfusion. Nat Biotechnol 38, 1260–1262 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-020-0720-z

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