Mesenchymal stem cells facilitate recovery from chemically induced liver damage and decrease liver fibrosis.

Aims: To investigate the feasibility and mechanism of liver damage repair using human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMMSCs), we investigated the potential for hBMMSCs in recovery from liver damage, including fibrotic liver repair, using the CCl(4)-induced model for liver damage in the rat.

Main Methods: Rats were injected with 0.5 ml/kg CCl(4) to induce liver damage and progressive liver fibrosis. hBMMSCs labeled with GFP were injected into the rats through the portal vein.

Key Findings: After one day of transplantation, GFP-labeled cells were found around the liver lobules, the hepatic blood vessels, and the edge of the liver lobes. Biochemical and histopathological analyses showed significantly increased recovery from liver damage in the transplanted group. In addition, transplanted hBMMSCs express matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), and liver fibrosis was significantly decreased. The degree of fibrosis reduction paralleled the number of hBMMSCs observed in liver sections.

Significance: Our data suggest that hBMMSCs may facilitate recovery from chronic liver damage and may decrease liver fibrosis. Therefore, hBMMSCs are a potential option for treatment of liver cirrhosis.