New approach developed for creating artificial bile ducts

A new method for growing and transplanting artificial bile ducts has been developed by researchers in the UK.

Scientists and engineers from the University of Cambridge have found a way of extracting healthy cells called cholangiocytes from bile ducts and growing them into functioning 3D duct structures known as biliary organoids.

These were then grown on a biodegradable collagen scaffold, resulting in artificial tubes that exhibited the key features of a normal, functioning bile duct. These artificial ducts were then used to successfully replace damaged bile ducts in mice without further complications.

It is thought that this approach could be used to treat a number of bile duct disorders and liver diseases, for which the only current therapeutic option is a liver transplant.

Professor Ludovic Vallier from the Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute said: "In future, we believe it will be possible to generate large quantities of bioengineered tissue that could replace diseased bile ducts and provide a powerful new therapeutic option without this reliance on organ transplants."

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