Therapeutic potential of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in mice with acute hepatic failure.

BACKROUND/OBJECTIVE: Mesenchymal stem cells are probably one of the most promising alternatives for liver regeneration and repair. We present data supporting the ability of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) to generate hepatic elements and discuss the best transplantation pathway.

METHODS: AHF mice were given hUCMSCs through tail-vein injection or into the liver lobes. Blood serum and liver tissues were collected to analyze the improvement of liver function and histological repair 24 h after hUCMSC administration. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of human hepatocyte-specific markers in liver tissues.

RESULTS: The results showed significant statistical differences in liver function after transplantation (P<.05). Real-time PCR and immunochemistry results demonstrated that the expression of hepatocyte-specific markers such as CK18 and AFP were obviously increased in the treatment groups through both transplantation pathways. Our data indicate that hUCMSCs are one of the stem cell candidates for liver repair because hUCMSCs can be easily and readily isolated and differentiated into hepatocytes both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, tail-vein injection of hUCMSCs has a similar therapeutic efficacy but is more convenient compared to liver lobe injection.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the potential therapeutic value of hUCMSCs and show that cell transplantation through a peripheral vein is a safe and effective way to treat AHF mice. Furthermore, this method might mediate repair in patients with liver damage or disease in future clinical therapy.