Ex vivo-expanded bone marrow stem cells home to the liver and ameliorate functional recovery in a mouse model of acute hepatic injury.

Background: Stem cell transplantation provides a theoretical approach for liver regeneration medicine; it may promote liver regeneration and self-repair. However, the transplantation of bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells expanded ex vivo as a therapy for liver disease has rarely been investigated. This study aimed to explore whether bone marrow stem cells expanded ex vivo home to the liver and foster hepatic recovery after CCl4 injury.

STAT3 and beta-catenin signaling pathway may affect GSK-3beta expression in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background/aims: To study the correlation and significance of beta-catenin, STAT3 and GSK-3beta signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methodology: The HCC cell line HepG2 was transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) directed against 8-catenin or STAT3. After 72 and 96h, protein was extracted and the protein expression of beta-catenin, STAT3, and GSK-3beta was detected by Western blot analysis.

Hepatocyte growth factor promotes liver regeneration induced by transfusion of bone marrow mononuclear cells in a murine acute liver failure model.

Background/purpose: Bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMC) transplantation has been shown to facilitate tissue and organ regeneration and repair. BMMC transplantation may be a potential therapy for acute liver failure, and its effect might be further improved. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plays an important role in liver cell development, and may ameliorate hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis in animal models.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor enhances bone marrow mononuclear cell homing to the liver in a mouse model of acute hepatic injury.

Background: Experiments have reported that granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) can mobilize stem cells. However, few studies have examined the effect of G-CSF on bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMC) mobilization, in particular regarding their capability to home to acutely injured liver.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effort of G-CSF on BMMC homing to the liver following chemically-induced hepatic failure.

Stromal cell derived factor-1 enhances bone marrow mononuclear cell migration in mice with acute liver failure.

Aim: To evaluate the number of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC) that are migrated to the liver following transplantation of murine BMMC into mice with acute liver injury.

Methods: BMMC were isolated from the bone marrow of mice in a lymphocyte separation medium and then labeled with PKH26. The labeled cells were subsequently infused into the caudal veins of BALB/c mice with hepatic injury induced by carbon tetrachloride and 2-acetylaminofluorene.