Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for liver fibrosis.
Currently, the most effective treatment for end-stage liver fibrosis is liver transplantation; however, transplantation is limited by a shortage of donor organs, surgical complications, immunological rejection, and high medical costs. Recently, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has been suggested as an effective alternate approach for the treatment of hepatic diseases. MSCs have the potential to differentiate into hepatocytes, and therapeutic value exists in their immune-modulatory properties and secretion of trophic factors, such as growth factors and cytokines. In addition, MSCs can suppress inflammatory responses, reduce hepatocyte apoptosis, increase hepatocyte regeneration, regress liver fibrosis and enhance liver functionality. Despite these advantages, issues remain; MSCs also have fibrogenic potential and the capacity to promote tumor cell growth and oncogenicity. This paper summarizes the properties of MSCs for regenerative medicine and their therapeutic mechanisms and clinical application in the treatment of liver fibrosis. We also present several outstanding risks, including their fibrogenic potential and their capacity to promote pre-existing tumor cell growth and oncogenicity.
Cell Therapy and Tissue Engineering Center, Wonju, Korea.
Young Woo
YW
Eom
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
Kwang Yong
KY
Shim
Cell Therapy and Tissue Engineering Center, Wonju, Korea.|Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju,Korea.
Soon Koo
SK
Baik
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008115:Liver Regeneration; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010641:Phenotype; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Anti-fibrosis; Immune modulation; Liver cirrhosis; Mesenchymal stromal cells; Trophic factors