Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells as immunosuppressants in liver transplantation: a review of current data

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the current knowledge relating to the potential use of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) acting as immunosuppressants after liver transplantation. Clinical use of BM-MSCs in liver transplantation remains experimental, as there is uncertainty as to their mechanism of action, conflicting studies in animal models, and the possibility of their cellular fusion with hepatocytes leading to potentially genetically unstable hepatocytes. These obstacles, to their underuse, have been decreasing, and BM-MSCs have elicited great interest for possible use in solid organ transplantation. Bone marrow-derived-MSCs, when transplanted systemically, might positively influence grafted organ outcome through cell-cell contact or the secretion of soluble factors that are immunomodulatory. Thus, the use of BM-MSCs to modulate organ rejection may directly or indirectly influence the survival properties of transplanted livers.