A new paper published in the journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy discusses the use of mesenchymal stem cells to treat liver failure.  The research suggests that extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells may be used to treat liver failure and save the lives of thousands of people each year.

The liver is an important organ within the human body.  It detoxifies the body, metabolises drugs, and makes important proteins. It has the power to regenerate itself, thanks to the stem cells it contains.

Unfortunately, certain medical conditions, injuries and lifestyle factors can damage the liver’s ability to regenerate.  When the liver can no longer repair the injuries it has sustained, the patient has liver failure — a potentially deadly condition. 

Liver failure is difficult to treat and most patients have to receive a liver transplant to survive.  It can often be tricky to find a suitable liver donor and many people die while waiting for a transplant. 

Researchers have found that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the ability to regenerate the liver after it has sustained signifiant injury.  MSCs are multi-lineage progenitor cells that can differentiate into various types of cells, including fat cells, muscle cells, and bone cells.  Mesenchymal stem cells also promote tissue regeneration, protect nerves, produce growth factors, and act as a powerful anti-inflammatory.   MSCs can easily be obtained from bone marrow, adipose tissue, amniotic fluid, and umbilical cord blood.

Researchers have already demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells can treat liver failure in animal trials.  They are still unclear exactly how MSCs repair the liver, but most researchers are convinced that MSCs will provide a viable treatment for liver failure in the future.

This newly recently published paper highlights other research projects that have recently discovered that MSCs secrete trophic factors, extracellular vesicles (EVs) and immunomodulatory factors.  The authors of the paper suggest that MSC-derived EVs may be used instead of MSCs to treat the liver.  It is an exciting breakthrough that may help researchers find a cure for liver disease.

Source: Role of mesenchymal stem cells, their derived factors, and extracellular vesicles in liver failure

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