Human stem cells promote liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy

Authors are S. Wabitsch, Ch. Benzing, F. Krenzien, K. Splith, P.K. Haber, A. Arnold, M. Nösser, C. Kamalia, F. Hermann, Ch. Günther, D. Hirsch, I.M. Sauer, J. Pratschke, and M. Schmelzle.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been suggested to augment liver regeneration after surgically and pharmacologically induced liver failure. To further investigate this we processed human bone marrow-derived MSC according to good manufacturing practice (GMP) and tested those cells for their modulatory capacities of metabolic alterations and liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in BALB/c nude mice.
Human bone marrow-derived MSC attenuate metabolic alterations and improve liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in BALB/c nude mice. Obtained results using GMP-processed human MSC suggest functional links between fat accumulation and hepatocyte proliferation, without any evidence for cellular homing. This study using GMP-proceeded MSC has important regulatory implications for an urgently needed translation into a clinical trial.