Tissue Eng Regen Med.  2019 Apr;16(2):107-118. 10.1007/s13770-019-00178-y.

Stem Cell-Based Therapies for Liver Diseases: An Overview and Update

• Wang J
• Sun M
• Liu W
• Li Y
• Li M

• KMID: 2449242
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1007/s13770-019-00178-y

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Liver disease is one of the top causes of death globally. Although liver transplantation is a very effective treatment strategy, the shortage of available donor organs, waiting list mortality, and high costs of surgery remain huge problems. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types. Scientists are exploring the possibilities of generating hepatocytes from stem cells as an alternative for the treatment of liver diseases.
METHODS
In this review, we summarized the updated researches in the field of stem cell-based therapies for liver diseases as well as the current challenges and future expectations for a successful cell-based liver therapy.
RESULTS
Several cell types have been investigated for liver regeneration, such as embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, liver stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and hematopoietic stem cells. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that stem cells are promising cell sources for the liver regeneration.
CONCLUSION
Stem cell-based therapy could be a promising therapeutic method for patients with end-stage liver disease, which may alleviate the need for liver transplantation in the future.

Keyword

Stem cells; Liver disease; Stem cell-based therapy; Liver regeneration

MeSH Terms

Cause of Death
Embryonic Stem Cells
Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Hepatocytes
Humans
In Vitro Techniques
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Liver Diseases*
Liver Regeneration
Liver Transplantation
Liver*
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Methods
Mortality
Stem Cells
Tissue Donors
Waiting Lists