Research Status of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Liver Transplantation

Abstract

Liver transplantation has been deemed the best choice for end-stage liver disease patients but immune rejection after surgery is still a serious problem. Patients have to take immunosuppressive drugs for a long time after liver transplantation, and this often leads to many side effects. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) gradually became of interest to researchers because of their powerful immunomodulatory effects. In the past, a large number of in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the great potential of MSCs for participation in posttransplant immunomodulation. In addition, MSCs also have properties that may potentially benefit patients undergoing liver transplantation. This article aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of the immunomodulation achieved by the application of MSCs in liver transplantation, to discuss the problems that may be encountered when using MSCs in clinical practice, and to describe some of the underlying capabilities of MSCs in liver transplantation. Cell–cell contact, soluble molecules, and exosomes have been suggested to be critical approaches to MSCs’ immunoregulation in vitro; however, the exact mechanism, especially in vivo, is still unclear. In recent years, the clinical safety of MSCs has been proven by a series of clinical trials. The obstacles to the clinical application of MSCs are decreasing, but large sample clinical trials involving MSCs are still needed to further study their clinical effects.

Hepatic progenitor cells promote the repair of schistosomiasis liver injury by inhibiting IL-33 secretion in mice

“…Although MSCs have been reported to be used in the clinic for several cases, the samples size of MSCs on liver transplantation for clinical trials is insufficient. To date, there are several main obstacles for MSCs’ application in liver transplantation: ethical doubt, safety concerns, systemic immunosuppression, sources of MSCs, time delays, and high costs for the generation and handling of MSCs [ 27 , 28 ]. Besides, the truth is that most of the patients with schistosomiasis live in remote and economically backward regions [ 16 ].…”

Hepatic Progenitor Cells Promote the Repair of Schistosomiasis Liver Injury Through Inhibiting IL-33 Secretion 

“…Although MSCs have been reported to be used in the clinic for several cases, samples size of MSCs on liver transplantation for clinical trials is insu cient. To date, there are several main obstacles for MSCs application in liver transplantation: ethical doubt, safety concerns, systemic immunosuppression, sources of MSCs, time delays and high costs for the generation and handling of MSCs [27,28] . Besides, the truth is that most of the patient with schistosomiasis live in remote and economically backward regions [16] .…”

Therapeutic Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells: Value, Challenges and Optimization

“…In addition, MSCs can inhibit the proliferation, cytotoxicity and production of IFN-γ in T lymphocytes and NK cells (Prigione et al, 2009). Blocking G0/ G1 phases of the cell cycle, inducing apoptotic pathways and impairing the T cell subset ratio and inhibiting dendritic cells are among the mechanisms to inhibit lymphocyte proliferation (You et al, 2019). MSCs may also promote the polarization of macrophages from a proinflammatory phenotype to an antiinflammatory phenotype, promoting tissue regeneration (Sica and Mantovani, 2012).…”