Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells and their association with liver fibrosis
10.3760/cma.j.issn.1007-3418.2017.01.019
- VernacularTitle: 脐带间充质干细胞及其与肝纤维化的相关性
- Author:
Lin TUO
1
;
Weizheng ZENG
2
;
Hongli XUE
2
;
Xiaoling WU
1
Author Information
1. Department of Gastroenterology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
2. Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region, Chengdu 610083
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Liver fibrosis;
Therapeutics;
Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells
- From:
Chinese Journal of Hepatology
2017;25(1):65-68
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
At present, the most effective therapeutic method for end-stage liver fibrosis is liver transplantation. However, the application of liver transplantation is limited by a shortage of liver donors, a high incidence rate of surgical complications, graft-versus-host disease, and high medical costs. Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (UC-MSC) transplantation may become a promising method for the treatment of liver diseases. UC-MSCs are adult stem cells which exhibit multipotential differentiation and can differentiate into hepatic parenchymal cells. Due to their functions including immune regulation and secretion of trophic factors, UC-MSCs can inhibit immune response, promote hepatocyte regeneration, alleviate the progression of liver fibrosis, and improve liver function. In addition, compared with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, UC-MSCs have abundant sources, noninvasive collection, and high safety and thus they are attracting more and more attention. This article reviews the characteristics of UC-MSCs and their mechanism of action in the treatment of liver fibrosis, as well as risks of UC-MSCs therapy.
