Differentiation of Bone Marrow: Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Hepatocyte-like Cells

Freeze-Dried Mesenchymal Stem Cells: From Bench to Bedside. Review

This review describes the freeze-dried mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their ability to restore damaged tissues and organs. An analysis of the literature shows that after the lyophilization MSCs retain >80% of paracrine factors and that the mechanism of their action on the restoration of damaged tissues and organs is similar to the mechanism of action of paracrine factors in fresh and cryopreserved mesenchymal stem cells. Based on the own materials, the use of paracrine factors of freeze-dried MSCs in vivo and in vitro for the treatment of various diseases of organs and tissues has shown to be effective. The study also discusses about the advantages and disadvantages of freeze-dried MSCs versus cryopreserved MSCs. However, for the effective use of freeze-dried MSCs in clinical practice, a more detailed study of the mechanism of interaction of paracrine factors of freeze-dried MSCs with target cells and tissues is required. It is also necessary to identify possible other specific paracrine factors of freeze-dried MSCs. In addition, develop new therapeutic strategies for the use of freeze-dried MSCs in regenerative medicine and tissue bioengineering.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell on Liver Decellularised Extracellular Matrix for Tissue Engineering

Background: In end-stage chronic liver disease, transplantation represents the only curative option. However, the shortage of donors results in the death of many patients. To overcome this gap, it is mandatory to develop new therapeutic options. In the present study, we decellularised pig livers and reseeded them with allogeneic porcine mesenchymal stromal cells (pMSCs) to understand whether extracellular matrix (ECM) can influence and/or promote differentiation into hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs). Methods: After decellularisation with SDS, the integrity of ECM-scaffolds was examined by histological staining, immunofluorescence and scanning electron microscope. DNA quantification was used to assess decellularisation. pMSCs were plated on scaffolds by static seeding and maintained in in vitro culture for 21 days. At 3, 7, 14 and 21 days, seeded ECM scaffolds were evaluated for cellular adhesion and growth. Moreover, the expression of specific hepatic genes was performed by RT-PCR. Results: The applied decellularisation/recellularisation protocol was effective. The number of seeded pMSCs increased over the culture time points. Gene expression analysis of seeded pMSCs displayed a weak induction due to ECM towards HLCs. Conclusions: These results suggest that ECM may address pMSCs to differentiate in hepatocyte-like cells. However, only contact with liver-ECM is not enough to induce complete differentiation.

STAT3: A key regulator in liver fibrosis

Janus protein tyrosine kinase (JAK) has the ability to activate signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT). STAT3 is a valued member of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. In recent years, several studies have documented that STAT3 is closely related to the occurrence and development of liver fibrosis caused by various factors. Activation of STAT3 can play anti- or pro-inflammatory roles in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. This article reviewed the recent studies on STAT3 in the development of various liver fibrosis to find a more effective method to relieve and cure liver diseases, such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), schistosomiasis, and chemical liver injury.

Stem Cell-based Therapy Strategy for Hepatic Fibrosis by Targeting Intrahepatic Cells

The whole liver transplantation is the most effective treatment for end-stage fibrosis. However, the lack of available donors, immune rejection and total cost of surgery remain as the key challenges in advancing liver fibrosis therapeutics. Due to the multi-differentiation and low immunogenicity of stem cells, treatment of liver fibrosis with stem cells has been considered as a valuable new therapeutic modality. The pathological progression of liver fibrosis is closely related to the changes in the activities of intrahepatic cells. Damaged hepatocytes, activated Kupffer cells and other inflammatory cells lead to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation, further promoting apoptosis of damaged hepatocytes, while stem cells can work on fibrosis-related intrahepatic cells through relevant transduction pathways. Herein, this article elucidates the phenomena and the mechanisms of the crosstalk between various types of stem cells and intrahepatic cells including HSCs and hepatocytes in the treatment of liver fibrosis. Then, the important influences of chemical compositions, mechanical properties and blood flow on liver fibrosis models with stem cell treatment are emphasized. Clinical trials on stem cell-based therapy for liver fibrosis are also briefly summarized. Finally, continuing challenges and future directions of stem cell-based therapy for hepatic fibrosis are discussed. In short, stem cells play an important advantage and have a great potential in treating liver fibrosis by interacting with intrahepatic cells. Clarifying how stem cells interact with intrahepatic cells to change the progression of liver fibrosis is of great significance for a deeper understanding of liver fibrosis mechanisms and targeted therapy.

Role of fibroblast growth factor signalling in hepatic fibrosis

Fibrotic remodelling is a highly conserved protective response to tissue injury and it is essential for the maintenance of structural and functional tissue integrity. Also hepatic fibrosis can be considered as a wound-healing response to liver injury, reflecting a balance between liver repair and scar formation. In contrast, pathological fibrosis corresponds to impaired wound healing. Usually, the liver regenerates after acute injury. However, if the damaging mechanisms persist, the liver reacts with progressive and uncontrolled accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins. Eventually, excessive fibrosis can lead to cirrhosis and hepatic failure. Furthermore, cirrhosis is the major risk factor for the development of hepatocellular cancer (HCC). Therefore, hepatic fibrosis is the most critical pathological factor that determines the morbidity and mortality of patients with chronic liver disease. Still, no effective anti-fibrogenic therapies exist, despite the very high medical need. The regulation of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signalling is a prerequisite for adequate wound healing, repair and homeostasis in various tissues and organs. The FGF family comprises 22 proteins that can be classified into paracrine, intracrine and endocrine factors. Most FGFs signal through transmembrane tyrosine kinase FGF receptors (FGFRs). Although FGFRs are promising targets for the treatment of HCC, the expression and function of FGFR-ligands in hepatic fibrosis is still poorly understood. This review summarizes the latest advances in our understanding of FGF signalling in hepatic fibrosis. Furthermore, the potential of FGFs as targets for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis and remaining challenges for the field are discussed.

Growth characteristics of human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells at cultivation on synthetic polyelectrolyte nanofilms in vitro

This study examines the adhesive properties and cytotoxicity of polyelectrolyte nanofilms from polyethyleneimine (PEI), polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) and sodium polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) on human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (h-MSCs) and mouse adipose tissue (m-MSC) in vitro. Films are formed on 24- and 96-well culture plates in the combinations: PEI, PAH, PEI-PSS, PEI-PSS-PAH, PEI-PSS-PEI. An analysis of the culture results show that direct contact of h-MSCs with the PEI surface promotes adhesion (93–95% of adhesive cells versus 40% in the control). On the PEI surface, h-MSCs are evenly distributed, form colonies and 80% monolayer after 72 h of culture, as in the control on culture plastic. On nanofilms from PAH and PEI-PSS-PAH, cells grow in the form of rosette-like colonies with long and thin processes similar to neurites. The cytotoxic properties of PSS were revealed in direct contact with h-MSCs (more than 40% of nonviable cells with damaged plasma membranes). On the PSS surface, cells lost their adhesiveness. To culture and stably grow the cell mass of h-MSCs, it is better to use monolayer nanofilms made of highly adhesive and non-toxic PEI polyelectrolyte, which can bind the growth factors of blood serum and platelet lysate, ensuring the growth of h-MSCs under in vitro deprivation conditions.

Impact of Three-Dimentional Culture Systems on Hepatic Differentiation of Puripotent Stem Cells and Beyond

Generation of functional hepatocytes from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is a vital tool to produce large amounts of human hepatocytes, which hold a great promise for biomedical and regenerative medicine applications. Despite a tremendous progress in developing the differentiation protocols recapitulating the developmental signalling and stages, these resulting hepatocytes from hPSCs yet achieve maturation and functionality comparable to those primary hepatocytes. The absence of 3D milieu in the culture and differentiation of these hepatocytes may account for this, at least partly, thus developing an optimal 3D culture could be a step forward to achieve this aim. Hence, review focuses on current development of 3D culture systems for hepatic differentiation and maturation and the future perspectives of its application.

Bone marrow derived-mesenchymal stem cells downregulate IL17A dependent IL6/STAT3 signaling pathway in CCl4-induced rat liver fibrosis

Therapeutic potential of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) has been reported in several animal models of liver fibrosis. Interleukin (IL) 17A, IL6 and Stat3 have been described to play crucial roles in chronic liver injury. However, the modulatory effect of MSCs on these markers was controversial in different diseases. BM-MSCs might activate the IL6/STAT3 signaling pathway and promote cell invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma, but the immunomodulatory role of BM-MSCs on IL17A/IL6/STAT3 was not fully elucidated in liver fibrosis. In the present study, we evaluated the capacity of the BM-MSCs in the modulation of cytokines milieu and signal transducers, based on unique inflammatory genes Il17a and Il17f and their receptors Il17rc and their effect on the IL6/STAT3 pathway in CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis in rats. A single dose of BM-MSCs was administered to the group with induced liver fibrosis, and the genes and proteins of interest were evaluated along six weeks after treatment. Our results showed a significant downregulation of Il17a, Il17ra, il17f and Il17rc genes. In accordance, BM-MSCs administration declined IL17, IL2 and IL6 serum proteins and downregulated IL17A and IL17RA proteins in liver tissue. Interestingly, BM-MSCs downregulated both Stat3 mRNA expression and p-STAT3, while Stat5a gene was downregulated and p-STAT5 protein was elevated. Also P-SMAD3 and TGFβR2 proteins were downregulated in response to BM-MSCs treatment. Collectively, we suggest that BM-MSCs might play an immunomodulatory role in the treatment of liver fibrosis through downregulation of IL17A affecting IL6/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Rosmarinic acid protects on rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis

To investigate the anti-oxidant activities and mechanism of rosmarinic acid (RA) on rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) from ischemia-induced apoptosis in vitro, which was established using H2O2-damage and analyzed for cell viability, cell apoptosis, ROS, morphological changes, and levels of apoptosis proteins. Pretreatment with RA significantly suppressed the generation of ROS, protected the morphological changes of cells, decrease the ratio of cell apoptosis, down-regulated the level of caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax/Bcl-2, and up-regulated the level of p-PI3K. These findings suggest that RA may protect rBMSCs from H2O2-induced apoptosis by partly regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and can be developed as a potential anti-apoptotic agent for therapy in cardiovascular diseases.

Umbilical cord blood stem cells transplantation as an adjunctive treatment strategy for liver cirrhosis in Chinese population: a meta-analysis of effectiveness and safety

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of umbilical cord blood stem cells (USCs) transplantation combined with routine supportive therapy (RST) for liver cirrhosis (LC).

Materials and methods

Clinical trials involved in this research were searched from Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Wanfang and CNKI database. Treatment effects, quality of life (QoL), adverse events and other outcome measures were extracted and evaluated.

Results

A total of 10 trials including 616 LC patients were involved in this study. Based on our analysis, the liver function of LC patients was significantly improved after USCs transplantation and RST combined therapy, indicated by decreased total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase levels and prothrombin time and increased serum albumin level and prothrombin activity. Compared to those treated by RST alone, patients treated by combined therapy showed more satisfied treatment effects, improved QoL reflected by improved appetite (odds ratio [OR]=5.43, 95% CI=2.84 to 10.38, P<0.00001) and relieved fatigue (OR=4.33, 95% CI=0.87 to 21.60, P=0.07), ascetic fluid (OR=4.56, 95% CI=2.69 to 7.74, P<0.00001), abdominal distension (OR=4.01, 95% CI=1.34 to 12.02, P=0.01) and edema (OR=2.69, 95% CI=0.23 to 31.72, P=0.43). No serious adverse events occurred during USCs therapy.

Conclusion

USCs transplantation is a safe and effective adjuvant therapy for RST-treated LC, possibly through improving patients’ liver function.