Cell therapy in end-stage liver disease: replace and remodel

• Published in: Stem cell research & therapy Vol. 14; no. 1; p. 141
• Main Authors: Hu, Xin-Hao, Chen, Lan, Wu, Hao, Tang, Yang-Bo, Zheng, Qiu-Min, Wei, Xu-Yong, Wei, Qiang, Huang, Qi, Chen, Jian, Xu, Xiao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 25.05.2023; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Animals; Bile ducts; Blood & organ donations; Cell Differentiation; Cell therapy; Cell transplantation; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy; End Stage Liver Disease - metabolism; End Stage Liver Disease - therapy; End-stage liver disease; Health aspects; Hepatocytes; Hepatocytes - transplantation; Humans; Immunology; Liver; Liver - metabolism; Liver diseases; Liver Diseases - therapy; Liver Regeneration; Liver transplantation; Macrophages; Mesenchymal stem cells; Metabolism; Microenvironments; Mortality; Patients; Physiology; Recovery of function; Review; Spleen; Stem cell; Stem cell transplantation; Stem cells; Transplantation; Veins & arteries; Romania; Cell therapy; Stem cell; Cell transplantation; Liver regeneration; End-stage liver disease
• ISSN: 1757-6512; 1757-6512
• DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03370-z

Liver disease is prevalent worldwide. When it reaches the end stage, mortality rises to 50% or more. Although liver transplantation has emerged as the most efficient treatment for end-stage liver disease, its application has been limited by the scarcity of donor livers. The lack of acceptable donor organs implies that patients are at high risk while waiting for suitable livers. In this scenario, cell therapy has emerged as a promising treatment approach. Most of the time, transplanted cells can replace host hepatocytes and remodel the hepatic microenvironment. For instance, hepatocytes derived from donor livers or stem cells colonize and proliferate in the liver, can replace host hepatocytes, and restore liver function. Other cellular therapy candidates, such as macrophages and mesenchymal stem cells, can remodel the hepatic microenvironment, thereby repairing the damaged liver. In recent years, cell therapy has transitioned from animal research to early human studies. In this review, we will discuss cell therapy in end-stage liver disease treatment, especially focusing on various cell types utilized for cell transplantation, and elucidate the processes involved. Furthermore, we will also summarize the practical obstacles of cell therapy and offer potential solutions.