Stem cells for liver tissue repair: Current knowledge and perspectives

Abstract

Stem cells from extra- or intrahepatic sources have been recently characterized and their usefulness for the generation of hepatocyte-like lineages has been demonstrated. Therefore, they are being increasingly considered for future applications in liver cell therapy. In that field, liver cell transplantation is currently regarded as a possible alternative to whole organ transplantation, while stem cells possess theoretical advantages on hepatocytes as they display higher in vitro culture performances and could be used in autologous transplant procedures. However, the current research on the hepatic fate of stem cells is still facing difficulties to demonstrate the acquisition of a full mature hepatocyte phenotype, both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the lack of obvious demonstration of in vivo hepatocyte-like cell functionality remains associated to low repopulation rates obtained after current transplantation procedures. The present review focuses on the current knowledge of the stem cell potential for liver therapy. We discuss the characteristics of the principal cell candidates and the methods to demonstrate their hepatic potential in vitro and in vivo. We finally address the question of the future clinical applications of stem cells for liver tissue repair and the technical aspects that remain to be investigated.

In vitro differentiation of unrestricted somatic stem cells into functional hepatic‐like cells displaying a hepatocyte‐like glucose metabolism

“…Nevertheless, studies illustrating in vitro hepatic features of stem-cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells were essentially confined to a histologic and molecular biological level rather than a functional one, characterizing the hepatic-like phenotype solely by a marginal panel of markers and demonstrating simultaneous marker expression in undifferentiated nonhepatic cells. Thus, standardized techniques to characterize hepatocyte functionality from differentiated cells are a necessary consequence (Hengstler et al, 2005;Lysy et al, 2008). Human umbilical CB contains, in addition to hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), different non-hematopoietic adherently growing cell populations.…”

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma in rats: Detection of cell homing and tumor mass by magnetic resonance imaging using iron oxide nanoparticles

“…Currently, super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) are safely used for cell tracking. 8 In vivo tracking and visualization of the transplanted stem cells is an essential means for monitoring their tissue localization and may confirm their therapeutic potential. 9 This study aimed to confirm the role played by MSCs in the amelioration of hepatic pathology in the rat model of cirrhosis/HCC, through MRI tracking of cells labeled with iron oxide nanoparticles.…”

Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Metabolic Liver Disease: An Update on the Umbilical Cord Derived Stem Cells Candidates

“…Stem cells originating from various intra and extra-hepatic sources has been investigated for the treatment of hepatic diseases [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. Stem cells are relatively easy to harvest, display an inherent ability to proliferate and demonstrate various differentiation potentials [16,17]. Moreover, stem cells present immunotolerogenic features decreasing the risk for graft rejection [18].…”