Therapeutic effect of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells combined with G-CSF on rats with acute liver failure

Body Fluid-Derived Stem Cells: Powering Innovative, Less-Invasive Cell Therapies

Stem cell therapy offers significant promise for tissue regeneration and repair. Traditionally, bone marrow- and adipose-derived stem cells have served as primary sources, but their clinical use is limited by invasiveness and low cell yield. This review focuses on body fluid-derived stem cells as an emerging, non-invasive, and readily accessible alternative. We examine stem cells isolated from amniotic fluid, peripheral blood, cord blood, menstrual fluid, urine, synovial fluid, breast milk, and cerebrospinal fluid, highlighting their unique biological properties and therapeutic potential. By comparing their characteristics and barriers to clinical translation, we propose body fluid-derived stem cells as a promising source for regenerative applications, with continued research needed to fully achieve their clinical utility.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Acute Liver Failure

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a severe liver disease syndrome with rapid deterioration and high mortality. Liver transplantation is the most effective treatment, but the lack of donor livers and the high cost of transplantation limit its broad application. In recent years, there has been no breakthrough in the treatment of ALF, and the application of stem cells in the treatment of ALF is a crucial research field. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used in disease treatment research due to their abundant sources, low immunogenicity, and no ethical restrictions. Although MSCs are effective for treating ALF, the application of MSCs to ALF needs to be further studied and optimized. In this review, we discuss the potential mechanisms of MSCs therapy for ALF, summarize some methods to enhance the efficacy of MSCs, and explore optimal approaches for MSC transplantation.

Liver cell therapies: cellular sources and grafting strategies

The liver has a complex cellular composition and a remarkable regenerative capacity. The primary cell types in the liver are two parenchymal cell populations, hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, that perform most of the functions of the liver and that are helped through interactions with non-parenchymal cell types comprising stellate cells, endothelia and various hemopoietic cell populations. The regulation of the cells in the liver is mediated by an insoluble complex of proteins and carbohydrates, the extracellular matrix, working synergistically with soluble paracrine and systemic signals. In recent years, with the rapid development of genetic sequencing technologies, research on the liver's cellular composition and its regulatory mechanisms during various conditions has been extensively explored. Meanwhile breakthroughs in strategies for cell transplantation are enabling a future in which there can be a rescue of patients with end-stage liver diseases, offering potential solutions to the chronic shortage of livers and alternatives to liver transplantation. This review will focus on the cellular mechanisms of liver homeostasis and how to select ideal sources of cells to be transplanted to achieve liver regeneration and repair. Recent advances are summarized for promoting the treatment of end-stage liver diseases by forms of cell transplantation that now include grafting strategies.

Human Umbilical Cord-Based Therapeutics: Stem Cells and Blood Derivatives for Female Reproductive Medicine

There are several conditions that lead to female infertility, where traditional or conventional treatments have limited efficacy. In these challenging scenarios, stem cell (SC) therapies have been investigated as alternative treatment strategies. Human umbilical cord (hUC) mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSC), along with their secreted paracrine factors, extracts, and biomolecules, have emerged as promising therapeutic alternatives in regenerative medicine, due to their remarkable potential to promote anti-inflammatory and regenerative processes more efficiently than other autologous treatments. Similarly, hUC blood derivatives, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or isolated plasma elements, such as growth factors, have also demonstrated potential. This literature review aims to summarize the recent therapeutic advances based on hUC-MSCs, hUC blood, and/or other plasma derivatives (e.g., extracellular vesicles, hUC-PRP, and growth factors) in the context of female reproductive medicine. We present an in-depth analysis of the principal molecules mediating tissue regeneration, compiling the application of these therapies in preclinical and clinical studies, within the context of the human reproductive tract. Despite the recent advances in bioengineering strategies that sustain delivery and amplify the scope of the therapeutic benefits, further clinical trials are required prior to the wide implementation of these alternative therapies in reproductive medicine.

G-CSF promotes the viability and angiogenesis of injured liver via direct effects on the liver cells

BACKGROUND

Presently, liver transplantation is the only treatment strategy for liver failure (LF). Although granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) exhibits protective functions in LF, it is not clear whether it directly affects the liver cells.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We established an injured liver cell model and observed that G-CSF treatment promoted cell viability and enhanced Ki67 and VEGF-A expression. Thereafter, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured in a conditioned medium collected from the G-CSF-treated injured liver cells. HUVECs' proliferation and tubule formation were promoted. Furthermore, in an injured liver mouse model, confirmed via haematoxylin-eosin staining, we evaluated serum alanine aminotransferase activity, Ki67 expression, and microvessel density (MVD). G-CSF treatment significantly relieved liver injury, upregulated Ki67 expression, and enhanced MVD in the injured mouse liver tissue. Additionally, AKT and ERK signal targets were explored, and it was demonstrated that the effects of G-CSF on injured liver cells were mediated through the AKT and ERK signalling pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

G-CSF promotes injured liver viability and angiogenesis by directly affecting injured liver cells via the AKT and ERK signalling pathways. These findings improve our understanding of the role of G-CSF in recovery from LF.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and their exosome in acute liver failure (ALF): a comprehensive review

Recently, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and their derivative exosome have become a promising approach in the context of liver diseases therapy, in particular, acute liver failure (ALF). In addition to their differentiation into hepatocytes in vivo, which is partially involved in liver regeneration, MSCs support liver regeneration as a result of their appreciated competencies, such as antiapoptotic, immunomodulatory, antifibrotic, and also antioxidant attributes. Further, MSCs-secreted molecules inspire hepatocyte proliferation in vivo, facilitating damaged tissue recovery in ALF. Given these properties, various MSCs-based approaches have evolved and resulted in encouraging outcomes in ALF animal models and also displayed safety and also modest efficacy in human studies, providing a new avenue for ALF therapy. Irrespective of MSCs-derived exosome, MSCs-based strategies in ALF include administration of native MSCs, genetically modified MSCs, pretreated MSCs, MSCs delivery using biomaterials, and also MSCs in combination with and other therapeutic molecules or modalities. Herein, we will deliver an overview regarding the therapeutic effects of the MSCs and their exosomes in ALF. As well, we will discuss recent progress in preclinical and clinical studies and current challenges in MSCs-based therapies in ALF, with a special focus on in vivo reports.

Therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells loaded with oncolytic adenovirus carrying decorin on a breast cancer lung metastatic mouse model

Oncolytic adenoviruses (OAds) are alternative immune therapeutic strategies for tumors. However, liver uptake and antibody neutralization are two major barriers for systemic delivery during the treatment of tumor metastasis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as potential vehicles to improve delivery. In this study, we loaded umbilical-cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) with OAds expressing decorin (rAd.DCN) or without foreign genes (rAd.Null) to treat breast cancer lung metastasis. In vivo, rAd.Null, MSCs.Null, and rAd.DCN exhibited antitumor effects compared with other groups in a mouse model. Unexpectedly, MSCs.Null showed much greater antitumor responses than MSCs.DCN, including improved survival and reduced tumor burden. Compared with rAd.Null, both MSCs.Null and MSCs.DCN could improve the viral spread and distribution in metastatic tumor lesions in the lung. MSCs.DCN produced much more decorin in lungs than rAd.DCN; however, rAd.DCN reduced the downstream target genes of decorin much more strongly than MSCs.DCN, which was consistent with in vitro findings. In addition, rAd.DCN, MSCs.Null, and MSCs.DCN could reduce The cytokine levels in the lung. In conclusion, MSCs improved oncolytic adenoviral delivery and spread in tumor tissues and enhanced therapeutic effects. However, MSCs.DCN reduced OAd-evoked antitumor responses, possibly via a contact-dependent mechanism.

Mesenchymal stem cells therapy for acute liver failure: Recent advances and future perspectives

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a life-threatening disease characterized by the rapid development of hepatocyte death and a systemic inflammatory response, which leads to high mortality. Despite the prevention of ALF complications, therapeutic effectiveness remains limited because of the rapid disease progression. Thus, there is a need to explore various therapeutic approaches. Currently, the only effective treatment is liver transplantation; However, the lack of donors, surgical complications, immunosuppression, and high medical costs limit its clinical application. Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been found to exert hepatoprotective effects in ALF through suppression of inflammation, immunoregulation, promotion of mitosis, anti-apoptosis effects, and alleviation of the metabolic and oxidative stress imbalance. In this review, we summarize the advantages and disadvantages of MSCs from different sources and their molecular mechanisms in ALF treatment, along with future perspectives that may provide guidance to improve the current status of MSCs therapy for ALF.

VEGF165 gene-modified human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells protect against acute liver failure in rats

BACKGROUND

Human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (HUCB-MSCs) can exert a protective effect in rat models of acute liver failure (ALF). Vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF₁₆₅ ) is the predominant VEGF isoform and possesses a strong pro-angiogenic function. In the present study, HUCB-MSC served as the gene delivery vehicle for the VEGF₁₆₅ gene, and we explored the therapeutic effects of this system on ALF.

METHODS

HUCB-MSCs were infected with an adenovirus expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP)-VEFG fusion protein (Ad-VEGF₁₆₅ ) to overexpress VEGF₁₆₅ or an adenovirus expressing GFP (Ad-GFP) as control. The control and modified HUCB-MSCs were then transplanted into ALF model rats. Liver function and liver pathological changes were assessed by biochemical tests and liver histology. Immunohistochemistry was carried out to determine the expression of, CD34, Ki67 and VEGF.

RESULTS

VEGF₁₆₅ overexpression enhanced the multipotency of HUCB-MSCs and promoted the homing and colonization of HUCB-MSC in the liver tissues of ALF rats. Furthermore, although HUCB-MSC transplantation ameliorated liver damage and promoted liver regeneration to some extent in ALF rats, Ad-VEGF₁₆₅ -HUCB-MSC transplantation showed stronger therapeutic effects on ALF.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, transplantation of VEGF₁₆₅ -modified HUCB-MSCs exert stronger therapeutic effects on ALF than HUCB-MSCs. The present study provides a novel therapeutic approach for ALF.

Exosomal miR-335 derived from mature dendritic cells enhanced mesenchymal stem cell-mediated bone regeneration of bone defects in athymic rats

BACKGROUND

Transplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) embedded in a bio-compatible matrix has been demonstrated as a promising strategy for the treatment of bone defects. This study was designed to explore the effect and mechanism of exosomes derived from mature dendritic cells (mDC-Exo) on the BM-MSCs-mediated bone regeneration using the matrix support in an athymic rat model of femoral bone defect.

METHODS

The BM-MSCs were isolated from rats and incubated with osteoblast induction medium, exosomes derived from immature DCs (imDC-Exo), mDC-Exo, and miR-335-deficient mDC-Exo. BM-MSCs treated without or with mDC-Exo were embedded in a bio-compatible matrix (Orthoss®) and then implanted into the femoral bone defect of athymic rats.

RESULTS

mDC-Exo promoted the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs by transferring miR-335. Mechanistically, exosomal miR-335 inhibited Hippo signaling by targeting large tongue suppressor kinase 1 (LATS1) and thus promoted the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs. Animal experiments showed that mDC-Exo enhanced BM-MSCs-mediated bone regeneration after bone defect, and this effect was abrogated when miR-335 expression was inhibited in mDC-Exo.

CONCLUSION

mDC-Exo promoted osteogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs and enhanced BM-MSCs-mediated bone regeneration after femoral bone defect in athymic rats by transferring miR-335.