The therapeutic effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and simvastatin in a rat model of liver fibrosis.

Abstract

Liver fibrosis is the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins including collagen that occurs in most types of chronic liver diseases. Studies concerning the capacity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and simvasatain (SIMV) to repair fibrotic tissues through reducing inflammation, collagen deposition, are still controversial. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs and SIMV on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Rats were divided into: normal, CCl4, CCl4/MSCs, CCl4/SIMV, CCl4/MSCs/SIMV, and SIMV groups. BM-derived MSCs were detected by RT-PCR of CD29 and were then infused into the tail vein of female rats that received CCl4 injection to induce liver fibrosis. Sex-determining region Y (SRY) gene on Y-chromosome gene was assessed by PCR to confirm homing of the male stem cells in liver tissue of the female recipients. Serum liver function tests, liver procollagens I and III, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), endoglin, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) gene expressions, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β1) immunostaining, and histopathologicl examination were performed. MSCs and SIMV decreased liver procollagens I and III, TIMP-1 and endoglin gene expressions, TGF-β1 immunostaining, and serum liver function tests compared with the CCl4 group. MMP-1 expression was increased in the CCl4/MSCs group. Histopathological examination as well as fibrosis score supports the biochemical and molecular findings. It can be concluded that MSCs and SIMV were effective in the treatment of hepatic CCl4-induced fibrosis-rat model. Treatment with MSCs was superior to SIMV. This antifibrotic effect can be attributed to their effect on the MMPs/TIMPs balance which is central in fibrogenesis.

• Authors: Tarek M K Motawi, Hazem M Atta, Nermin A H Sadik, May Azzam
• Journal: Cell biochemistry and biophysics (Cell Biochem Biophys) Vol. 68 Issue 1 Pg. 111-25 (Jan 2014) ISSN: 1559-0283 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23807535 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Collagen Type I
• Collagen Type II
• Endoglin
• Eng protein, rat
• Hypolipidemic Agents
• Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
• Sex-Determining Region Y Protein
• Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1
• Simvastatin

Topics

• Animals
• Bone Marrow Cells (cytology)
• Collagen Type I (genetics, metabolism)
• Collagen Type II (genetics, metabolism)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Endoglin
• Female
• Gene Expression Regulation (drug effects)
• Hypolipidemic Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
• Liver (drug effects, metabolism)
• Liver Cirrhosis (chemically induced, pathology, therapy)
• Male
• Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
• Mesenchymal Stem Cells (cytology)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Severity of Illness Index
• Sex-Determining Region Y Protein (genetics, metabolism)
• Simvastatin (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 (genetics, metabolism)