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Stem/progenitor cells in liver injury repair and regeneration
Author(s) -
Zhao Qinjun,
Ren Hongying,
Zhu Delin,
Han Zhongchao
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
biology of the cell
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.543
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1768-322X
pISSN - 0248-4900
DOI - 10.1042/bc20080105
Subject(s) - stem cell , biology , progenitor cell , regeneration (biology) , embryonic stem cell , mesenchymal stem cell , haematopoiesis , clinical uses of mesenchymal stem cells , liver regeneration , adult stem cell , cancer research , transplantation , stem cell transplantation for articular cartilage repair , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , gene , biochemistry
Morbidity and mortality from cirrhosis is increasing rapidly in the world. Currently, orthotopic liver transplantation is the only definitive therapeutic option. However, its clinical use is limited, because of poor long‐term graft survival, donor organ shortage and high costs associated with the procedure. Stem cell replacement strategies are therefore being investigated as an attractive alternative approach to liver repair and regeneration. In this review we discuss recent preclinical and clinical investigations that explore the therapeutic potential of stem cells in repair of liver injuries. Several types of stem cells. including embryonic stem cells, haematopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells, can be induced to differentiate into hepatocyte‐like cells by defined culture conditions in vitro . Stem cell transplantation has been shown to significantly improve liver function and increase animal survival in experimentally‐induced liver‐injury models. Moreover, several pilot clinical studies have reported encouraging therapeutic effects in patients treated with stem cells. Although there remain many unresolved issues, the available data support the notion that stem cell technology may lead to the development of effective clinical modalities for human liver diseases.