Bone marrow cells ameliorate liver fibrosis and express albumin after transplantation in CCl₄-induced fibrotic liver.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM:

We investigated the effect of bone marrow-derived stem cell (BMSC) transplantation on carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced liver fibrosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

BMSCs of green fluorescent protein (GFP) mice were transplanted into 4-week CCl 4 -treated C57BL/6 mice directly to the liver, and the mice were treated for 4 more weeks with CCl 4 (total, 8 weeks). After sacrificing the animals, quantitative data of percentage fibrosis area and the number of cells expressing albumin was obtained. One-way analysis of variance was applied to calculate the significance of the data.

RESULTS:

GFP expressing cells clearly indicated migrated BMSCs with strong expression of albumin after 28 days post-transplantation shown by anti-albumin antibody. Double fluorescent immunohistochemistry showed reduced expression of αSMA on GFP-positive cells. Four weeks after BMSC transplantation, mice had significantly reduced liver fibrosis as compared with that of mice treated with CCl 4 assessed by Sirius red staining.

CONCLUSION:

Mice with BMSC transplantation with continuous CCl 4 injection had reduced liver fibrosis and a significantly improved expression of albumin compared with mice treated with CCl 4 alone. These findings strengthen the concept of cellular therapy in liver fibrosis.

• Authors: Gibran Ali, Muhammad S Masoud
• Journal: Saudi journal of gastroenterology : official journal of the Saudi Gastroenterology Association (Saudi J Gastroenterol) 2012 Jul-Aug Vol. 18 Issue 4 Pg. 263-7 ISSN: 1998-4049 [Electronic] India
• PMID: 22824770 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Actins
• Albumins
• Carbon Tetrachloride
• Matrix Metalloproteinases

Topics

• Actins (metabolism)
• Albumins (metabolism)
• Animals
• Bone Marrow Cells (metabolism)
• Bone Marrow Transplantation
• Carbon Tetrachloride
• Female
• Liver Cirrhosis (chemically induced, metabolism, therapy)
• Matrix Metalloproteinases (metabolism)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Time Factors