Autologous bone marrow cell infusion for advanced liver cirrhosis : in vivo study and human trial

Abstract

[한글]

[영문]Despite conflicting results from animal models, clinical trials of bone marrow cell (BMC) infusion in patients with cirrhosis have shown positive results. The aim of this study was to reveal the fate and effect of transplanted BMCs in a mouse model, and to investigate the safety and effect of autologous BMC infusion (ABMI) on the liver in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis (LC).

Six-week-old female C57BL6 mice were used to assess engraftment of GFP-positive BMCs into the liver and the extent of liver fibrosis. In the clinical trial, five patients with a clinical diagnosis of advanced LC were included. Serologic tests, MRI, and biopsy were performed before and 1 and 3 months after the procedure, and the quality of life was surveyed by questionnaire.

In the animal study, liver fibrosis was seen 5 weeks after CCl4 injection, with no mortality occurring during the experiment. In the clinical trial, mononuclear cells were infused. All patients indicated an improvement in subjective symptoms, daily activity, well-being, and quality of life. Biopsy specimens showed an increased number of progenitor cells at up to 3 months, and no serious adverse events occurred.

BMCs were transplanted into the liver and found to reduce fibrosis in a mouse model of cirrhosis. In patients with advanced LC, ABMI improved liver function, subjective symptoms, and increased the number of progenitor cells in the liver. ABMI is safe and can be used as a bridging therapy to liver transplantation in selected patients with advanced LC.

Despite conflicting results from animal models, clinical trials of bone marrow cell (BMC) infusion in patients with cirrhosis have shown positive results. The aim of this study was to reveal the fate and effect of transplanted BMCs in a mouse model, and to investigate the safety and effect of autologous BMC infusion (ABMI) on the liver in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis (LC).

Six-week-old female C57BL6 mice were used to assess engraftment of GFP-positive BMCs into the liver and the extent of liver fibrosis. In the clinical trial, five patients with a clinical diagnosis of advanced LC were included. Serologic tests, MRI, and biopsy were performed before and 1 and 3 months after the procedure, and the quality of life was surveyed by questionnaire.

In the animal study, liver fibrosis was seen 5 weeks after CCl4 injection, with no mortality occurring during the experiment. In the clinical trial, mononuclear cells were infused. All patients indicated an improvement in subjective symptoms, daily activity, well-being, and quality of life. Biopsy specimens showed an increased number of progenitor cells at up to 3 months, and no serious adverse events occurred.

BMCs were transplanted into the liver and found to reduce fibrosis in a mouse model of cirrhosis. In patients with advanced LC, ABMI improved liver function, subjective symptoms, and increased the number of progenitor cells in the liver. ABMI is safe and can be used as a bridging therapy to liver transplantation in selected patients with advanced LC.