OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in prolonging the survival of dogs receiving living donor liver transplantation.

METHODSCanine 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.

RESULTSCompared 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.

CONCLUSIONAutologous 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.