[Infusion of autologous mesenchymal stem cells prolongs the survival of dogs receiving living donor liver transplantation].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the mechanism of autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in prolonging the survival of dogs receiving living donor liver transplantation.


METHODS
Canine models of allogenic living donor liver transplantation was established in 14 beagle dogs by non-venous by-pass method, and in 7 of the recipients, autologous MSCs labeled by BrdU was infused into the portal vein, with the other 7 dogs as the control. The survival time of the two groups of the dogs was observed after the operation. The liver function (AST and ALT levels), liver pathologies and the differentiation of the transplanted cells were also evaluated postoperatively.


RESULTS
Compared with the control group, the dogs receiving MSC transplantation showed significantly increased median survival time (P<0.001) with lowered levels of AST and ALT (P<0.01). The two groups exhibited similar graft rejection after the operation. In dogs with MSC transplantation, the BrdU-labeled MSCs differentiated into liver-like cells in the liver and secreted albumin.


CONCLUSIONS
Autologous MSCs infusion through the portal vein during allogenic living donor liver transplantation can prolong the survival of the recipient dogs. The stem cells transplanted can differentiate into mature liver-like cells and secrete albumin in the hepatic tissue.
Second Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. pmxwxy@sohu.com
Ming-xin
MX
Pan
Wai-lin
WL
Hou
Qing-jun
QJ
Zhang
Du-hui
DH
Gong
Yuan
Y
Cheng
Guo-deng
GD
Jian
Yi
Y
Gao
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D006085:Graft Survival; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D011897:Random Allocation