Therapeutic potential of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells in mice with lethal fulminant hepatic failure

Cell Transplant. 2013;22(10):1785-99. doi: 10.3727/096368912X662462. Epub 2013 Feb 5.

Abstract

Large-scale production and noninvasive methods for harvesting mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), particularly in elderly individuals, has prompted researchers to find new patient-specific sources for MSCs in regenerative medicine. This study aims to produce MSCs from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and to evaluate their therapeutic effects in a CCl4-induced mouse model of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). hiPSC-MSCs have shown MSC morphology, antigen profile and differentiation capabilities, and improved hepatic function in our model. hiPSC-MSC-transplanted animals provide significant benefit in terms of survival, serum LDH, total bilirubin, and lipid peroxidation. hiPSC-MSC therapy resulted in a one-third reduction of histologic activity index and a threefold increase in the number of proliferating hepatocytes. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in the expression levels of collagen type I, Mmp13, Mmp2, and Mmp9 genes and increase in Timp1 and Timp2 genes in transplanted groups. hiPSC-MSCs secreted hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in vitro and also expressed HGF in evaluated liver sections. Similar results were observed with human bone marrow (hBM)-derived MSCs. In conclusion, our results have demonstrated that hiPSC-MSCs might be valuable appropriate alternatives for hBM-MSCs in FHF liver repair and support liver function by cell therapy with a large-scale production capacity, patient-specific nature, and no invasive MSC harvesting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bilirubin / blood
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Collagen Type I / genetics
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology*
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / blood
  • Lipid Peroxidation
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver Failure, Acute / metabolism
  • Liver Failure, Acute / pathology
  • Liver Failure, Acute / surgery*
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 / genetics
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 / metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / genetics
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / genetics
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / metabolism
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Mice
  • Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / genetics
  • Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / metabolism
  • Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / genetics
  • Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / metabolism

Substances

  • Collagen Type I
  • Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1
  • Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 13
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
  • Bilirubin