Resources 2

Scientific Research: Publications

February 2026

Simultaneous quantification of native human and transgenic porcine liver function in a decedent model of extracorporeal cross-circulation

Abraham Shaked, Michael P. McRae, Joanne C. Imperial, Leanne Lanieri, Alexander Sagar, Kim M. Olthoff, Susan Low, Kirsten G. Swenson, Peter Friend, Gregory T. Everson | American Journal of Transplantation | In Press

Porcine livers have the potential to support liver function via extracorporeal liver cross-circulation (ELC) until recovery or transplantation. To assess the functional integrity of both native human and porcine livers during ELC, we used the clearance of intravenously administered 13C-cholate to probe effective hepatic perfusion in 4 decedents maintained on ELC for 72 to 102 hours. Genetically modified porcine livers (EGEN-5784) were perfused using the OrganOx metra-ELC device. Hepatic filtration rate was calculated for the native human liver and the EGEN-5784 liver in ELC. During ELC, total hepatic filtration rate increased substantially compared with pre-ELC values, exceeded the upper limit of the normal range, and remained stable throughout the ELC period. Simultaneous measurement of cholate clearance in human and porcine livers during ELC provides real-time assessment of each organ’s functional contribution and may inform decisions regarding optimal ELC duration, timing of disconnection, and necessity of liver transplantation. read more →

February 2026

Extracorporeal liver cross-circulation using transgenic xenogeneic pig livers with brain-dead human decedents

Abraham Shaked, Alex Sagar, Kim M. Olthoff, Peter L. Abt, Emily A. Vail, Niels D. Martin, Charles S. Abrams, Rick D. Hasz, Christine Radolovic, Shannon Kaminski, Bao-Li Loza, James F. Markmann, Susan C. Low, Mike Curtis, Leanne Lanieri, Kirsten G. Swenson, Gregory T. Everson, David A. Wagner, Mohamed A. Elzawahry, John I. Fallon, Syed Hussain Abbas, Danielle Fortuna, Emma E. Furth, K. Rajender Reddy, Peter P. Reese & Peter Friend | Nature Medicine

Extracorporeal liver cross-circulation (ELC) using genetically modified pig livers may address an unmet need for temporary liver support in patients with acute or acute-on-chronic liver failure. read more →

February 2026

When should I repeat the endoscopy in my patient with compensated cirrhosis, whom I just scoped and who had no or small varices?

Imperial, Joanne C.; McRae, Michael P.; Everson, Gregory T. | Translational Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Current endoscopic surveillance intervals for patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) are based primarily on the presence or size of esophageal varices and rely largely on expert opinion rather than objective risk stratification. In an analysis of 195 patients with no or small varices over an average follow-up of 5.3 years, the Disease Severity Index (DSI) from the HepQuant DuO test significantly predicted adverse clinical outcomes, demonstrating a stepwise increase in risk across stratified categories, while variceal size was not a significant predictor. These findings support incorporating DSI into surveillance strategies to better individualize the timing of repeat endoscopy and optimize care in cACLD. read more →