Transplantation of bone marrow cells reduces CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice.
We investigated the effect of bone marrow cell (BMC) transplantation on established liver fibrosis. BMCs of green fluorescent protein (GFP) mice were transplanted into 4-week carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-treated C57BL6 mice through the tail vein, and the mice were treated for 4 more weeks with CCl4 (total, 8 weeks). Sirius red and GFP staining clearly indicated migrated BMCs existing along with fibers, with strong expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 shown by anti-MMP-9 antibodies and in situ hybridization. Double fluorescent immunohistochemistry showed the expression of MMP-9 on the GFP-positive cell surface. Film in situ zymographic analysis revealed strong gelatinolytic activity in the periportal area coinciding with the location of MMP-9-positive BMCs. Four weeks after BMC transplantation, mice had significantly reduced liver fibrosis, as assessed by hydroxyproline content of the livers, compared to that of mice treated with CCl4 alone. Subpopulation of Liv8-negative BMCs was responsible for this fibrolytic effect. In conclusion, mice with BMC transplants with continuous CCl4 injection had reduced liver fibrosis and a significantly improved survival rate after BMC transplantation compared with mice treated with CCl4 alone. This finding introduces a new concept for the therapy of liver fibrosis.
Sakaida
Isao
I
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan. sakaida@yamaguchi-u.ac.jp
Terai
Shuji
S
Yamamoto
Naoki
N
Aoyama
Koji
K
Ishikawa
Tsuyoshi
T
Nishina
Hiroshi
H
Okita
Kiwamu
K
D000818:Animals; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000235:genetics; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000235:genetics; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D019717:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3 / Q000235:genetics
D019717:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D053504:Matrix Metalloproteinases, Membrane-Associated; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9