title: Stem cell therapy in chronic liver disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide an overview of the current status of liver regeneration therapies for liver cirrhosis and future prospects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Various clinical studies for liver disease have been reported, including hepatic administration of autologous CD34-positive cells induced by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, portal vein administration of CD133-positive mononuclear cells, and administration of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Effectiveness of these approaches has been shown in some patients. We have also reported improved liver fibrosis and function with infusion of autologous bone marrow cells in a basic study with mice, and on the basis of those results started autologous bone marrow cell infusion (ABMi) therapy for liver cirrhosis. The efficacy and safety of ABMi therapy has also been reported by other institutions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of recent clinical studies strongly suggest that liver function-improving effects can be achieved using infusion of bone marrow (stem) cells for cirrhosis. New treatment methods using less-invasive bone marrow-derived cultured cells need to be developed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Laboratory, Yamaguchi University Hospital, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Yamaguchi, Japan.
authors.forename: Taro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takami
authors.forename: Shuji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Terai
authors.forename: Isao
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sakaida
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008115:Liver Regeneration; D008297:Male; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor