Regenerative Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells’ (MSCs) Secretome for Liver Fibrosis Therapies |
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| Authors: | Simona-Rebeca Nazarie |
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| Affiliation: | 1.Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, 050663 Bucharest, Romania; (S.-R.N.); (S.G.); (A.H.); (M.C.);2.“Aurel Ardelean” Institute of Life Sciences, “Vasile Goldiș” Western University of Arad, 310025 Arad, Romania;3.The Research Institute of the University of Bucharest (ICUB), University of Bucharest, 050663 Bucharest, Romania |
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| Abstract: | Chronic liver injuries lead to liver fibrosis and then to end-stage liver cirrhosis. Liver transplantation is often needed as a course of treatment for patients in critical conditions, but limitations associated with transplantation prompted the continuous search for alternative therapeutic strategies. Cell therapy with stem cells has emerged as an attractive option in order to stimulate tissue regeneration and liver repair. Transplanted mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could trans-differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells and, moreover, show anti-fibrotic and immunomodulatory effects. However, cell transplantation may lead to some uncontrolled side effects, risks associated with tumorigenesis, and cell rejection. MSCs’ secretome includes a large number of soluble factors and extracellular vesicles (EVs), through which they exert their therapeutic role. This could represent a cell-free strategy, which is safer and more effective than MSC transplantation. In this review, we focus on cell therapies based on MSCs and how the MSCs’ secretome impacts the mechanisms associated with liver diseases. Moreover, we discuss the important therapeutic role of EVs and how their properties could be further used in liver regeneration. |
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| Keywords: | liver fibrosis cell-free therapy mesenchymal stem cells secretome extracellular vesicles |
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