Preclinical-to-clinical innovations in stem cell therapies for liver regeneration

Curr Res Transl Med. 2023 Jan-Mar;71(1):103365. doi: 10.1016/j.retram.2022.103365. Epub 2022 Sep 15.

Abstract

Acute and chronic liver diseases are the major cause of high morbidity and mortality globally. Liver transplantation is a widely used therapeutic option for liver failure. However, the shortage of availability of liver donors has encouraged research on the alternative approach to liver regeneration. Cell-based regenerative medicine is the best alternative therapy to cater to this need. To date, advanced preclinical approaches have been undertaken on stem cell differentiation and their use in liver tissue engineering for generating efficacious and promising regenerative therapies. Advancements in the bioengineering of stem cells, and organoid generation are the way forward to efficient therapies against liver injury. This review summarizes the recent approaches for stem cell therapy-based liver regeneration and their proof of concepts for clinical application, bioengineering liver organoids to alleviate the liver failure caused due to chronic liver diseases.

Keywords: Bioprinting; Clinical trials of stem cells-based liver regeneration; Liver organoid; Liver regeneration; Scaffolds; Stem cell therapy; Tissue engineering.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Liver Diseases* / therapy
  • Liver Failure* / therapy
  • Liver Regeneration
  • Stem Cells
  • Tissue Engineering