Objective   To investigate the effect of engrafting human liver cancer cell line HepaRG on mouse-specific anti-Fas monoclonal antibody (Jo2 mAb) induced acute liver failure(ALF) in the severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice and investigate the heteroplastic strategy of human hepatocyte.    Methods   ALF was induced by injecting Jo2 mAb (0.3 mg/kg) intraperitoneally in SCID mice. Mice from experimental group (n=10)received 2×10

6

HepaRG cells engraftment in the spleen w

ithin 24 h after Jo2 mAb administration

and another 10 ALF mice served as control. The survival rate of mice

liver function and liver morphology of all mice were observed. At 4 weeks post-engraftment

HepaRG cells was characterized by S-P immunohistochemical staining for human albumin

human cytokeratin 18 and human Hep Par 1

meanwhile

immunofluorescence staining for human albumin.    Results   Nine transplanted mice were survival in 4 weeks after treatment and 9 non-transplanted mice were dead successively within 3 d. Compared to control group

survival time was prolonged significantly and serum liver enzyme levels was reduced significantly either of experimental group (P0.01). HepaRG cells engraftment protected mice from Jo2 mAb mediated liver hemorrhage and hepatocyte apoptosis in contrast to matched nonengrafted mice. In 4 weeks post-engraftment

human albumin

CK18 and specific human Hep Par 1 were found by immunohistochemistry staining

so was human albumin by immunofluorescence staining.    Conclusion    HepaRG cells transplantation prolongs the survival time and attenuates histological changes of Jo2 mAb-induced ALF mice. The transplanted HepaRG cells may well survive and regenerate for some period.