Hepatic stem/progenitor cells and stem-cell transplantation for the treatment of liver disease.
Allogeneic liver transplantation is still the only effective treatment available to patients with liver failure. However, because there is a serious shortage of liver donors, an alternative therapeutic approach is needed. Transplantation of mature hepatocytes has been evaluated in clinical trials, but the long-term efficacy remains unclear and the paucity of donor cells limits this strategy. Stem-cell transplantation is a more promising alternative approach. Several studies have provided information about the mechanism underlying the proliferation and differentiation of hepatic stem/progenitor cells. Moreover, in experimental models of liver disease, transplantation of hepatic stem/progenitor cells or hepatocyte-like cells derived from multipotent stem cells led to donor cell-mediated repopulation of the liver and improved survival rates. However, before stem-cell transplantation can be applied in the clinic to treat liver failure in humans, it will be necessary to overcome several difficulties associated with the technique.
Kakinuma
Sei
S
Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan.
Nakauchi
Hiromitsu
H
Watanabe
Mamoru
M
D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation; D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D053686:Fetal Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*