Are Adipose-Derived Stem Cells From Liver Falciform Ligaments Another Possible Source of Mesenchymal Stem Cells?

Falciform ligaments in the liver are surrounded by adipose tissue. We investigated the capability of adipose-derived stem cells from human liver falciform ligaments (hLF-ADSCs) to differentiate into hepatic-type cells and confirmed the functional capacity of the cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from the liver falciform ligament and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue in patients undergoing partial hepatectomy for liver disease.

Ideal sphere-forming culture conditions to maintain pluripotency in a hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.

Background: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) constitute 1-2 % of cancer tissue and are a major cause of tumor metastasis and recurrence. The culture environment is important in maintaining CSCs in vitro. Sphere formation is one method of culturing CSCs.

Efficient endodermal induction of human adipose stem cells using various concentrations of Activin A for hepatic differentiation.

Unlabelled: Activin A, which is a signaling molecule similar to Nodal, rapidly promotes endoderm induction of both embryonic stem (ES) cells and MSCs. Protocols for hepatic induction exhibit differences in efficiency and reproducibility depending on the specific methods or sources of MSCs. We characterized the effects of Activin A concentration on induction efficiency during hepatic differentiation of MSCs.

Toward angiogenesis of implanted bio-artificial liver using scaffolds with type I collagen and adipose tissue-derived stem cells.

Backgrounds/aims: Stem cell therapies for liver disease are being studied by many researchers worldwide, but scientific evidence to demonstrate the endocrinologic effects of implanted cells is insufficient, and it is unknown whether implanted cells can function as liver cells. Achieving angiogenesis, arguably the most important characteristic of the liver, is known to be quite difficult, and no practical attempts have been made to achieve this outcome. We carried out this study to observe the possibility of angiogenesis of implanted bio-artificial liver using scaffolds.

Immediately transcripted genes in various hepatic ischemia models.

Purpose: To elucidate the characteristic gene transcription profiles among various hepatic ischemia conditions, immediately transcribed genes and the degree of ischemic injury were compared among total ischemia (TI), intermittent clamping (IC), and ischemic preconditioning (IPC).

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into control (C, sham-operated), TI (ischemia for 90 minutes), IC (ischemia for 15 minutes and reperfusion for 5 minutes, repeated six times), and IPC (ischemia for 15 minutes, reperfusion for 5 minutes, and ischemia again for 90 minutes) groups. A cDNA microarray analysis was performed using hepatic tissues obtained by partial hepatectomy after occluding hepatic inflow.

The effect of preconditioning on liver regeneration after hepatic resection in cirrhotic rats.

Background/aims: Ischemic preconditioning (IP) decreases severity of liver necrosis and has anti-apoptotic effects in previous studies using liver regeneration in normal rats. This study assessed the effect of IP on liver regeneration after hepatic resection in cirrhotic rats.

Methods: To induce liver cirrhosis, thioacetamide (300 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally into Sprague-Dawley rats twice per week for 16 weeks.

Ideal Experimental Rat Models for Liver Diseases.

There are many limitations for conducting liver disease research in human beings due to the high cost and potential ethical issues. For this reason, conducting a study that is difficult to perform in humans using appropriate animal models, can be beneficial in ascertaining the pathological physiology, and in developing new treatment modalities. However, it is difficult to determine the appropriate animal model which is suitable for research purposes, since every patient has different and diverse clinical symptoms, adverse reactions, and complications due to the pathological physiology.