Gut Liver.
2020 May;14(3):306-315. 10.5009/gnl18412.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Liver Disease: Present and Perspectives
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
- 2Department of Cell Therapy and Tissue Engineering Center, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
- 3Department of Institute of Evidence Based Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
- KMID: 2500534
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.5009/gnl18412
Abstract
- Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation is an emerging therapy for treating chronic liver diseases. The potential of this treatment has been evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies. Although the mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation are still not completely understood, accumulating evidence has revealed that their immunomodulation, differentiation, and antifibrotic properties play a crucial role in liver regeneration. The safety and therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells in patients with chronic liver disease have been observed in many clinical studies. However, only modest improvements have been seen, partly because of the limited feasibility of transplanted cells at present. Here, we discuss several strategies targeted at improving viable cell engraftment and the potential challenges in the use of extracellular vesicle-based therapies for liver disease in the future.
