Effects of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in the treatment of liver cirrhosis caused by autoimmune diseases
Abstract
Aim: There has been great interest in recent years to take advantage of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC s) to treat end‐stage liver disease. This study is aimed to evaluate clinical therapeutic effects of allogeneic MSC transplantation in liver cirrhosis caused by autoimmune diseases. Methods: The enrolled patients with liver cirrhosis were assigned to receive allogeneic MSC infusions through a peripheral vein. The primary objective of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of MSCT in patients with autoimmune diseases‐induced cirrhosis. Secondary endpoints were to assess changes in the Models of End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores and liver functions after the transplantation. Results: A total of 26 patients were enrolled. Of these, 23 patients received umbilical cord MSCT, two received cord blood MSCT and one received bone marrow MSCT. Three patents died of the complications caused by cirrhosis and two patients received liver transplantation after MSCT. Four patients were lost to follow‐up. The mean of alanine transaminase values decreased 6 months, 1 and 2 years after the transplantation, but there were no statistical significance. The mean value of total bilirubin decreased at 6 months and 1 year follow‐up. Average serum albumin levels improved at 6 months, 1 and 2 years follow‐up. The mean value at 2 years increased significantly compared with the baseline value. A lowering of prothrombin time was seen at 6 months after MSCT. MELD score improved at 6 months, 1 and 2 years of follow‐up. No serious adverse events were observed during or 24 h after infusions of MSC s in any of the 26 patients with liver cirrhosis. Conclusion: Based on this clinical trial, allogeneic MSCT through the peripheral vein probably is safe and seemingly has beneficial effect in patients with liver cirrhosis. Therefore, allogeneic MSCT is a potential option for treatment of liver cirrhosis caused by autoimmune diseases. Further studies with higher numbers of patients are warranted to better clarify the impact and mechanisms of MSCT in liver cirrhosis.
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Preclinical studies and clinical trials demonstrated that MSC transplantation significantly improves liver function and is safe and effective in liver failure.
“Preclinical studies [22–25] and clinical trials [26–30] demonstrated that MSC transplantation significantly improves liver function and is safe and effective in the treatment of liver failure.”
From From signaling pathways to clinical trials: mesenchymal stem cells as multimodal regenerative architects in liver cirrhosis therapy (2025) · cites this paper as [30]
The combination of MSCs with immunosuppressive treatment (e.g., corticosteroids) was more effective than MSC monotherapy in cirrhosis due to autoimmune disease, enhancing the speed of fibrosis regression and immune response modulation.
“researchers found that the combination of MSCs with immunosuppressive treatment (e.g., corticosteroids) was more effective than monotherapy with MSCs alone. This collaborative effort enhanced the speed of fibrosis regression and immune response modulation [30].”
From From signaling pathways to clinical trials: mesenchymal stem cells as multimodal regenerative architects in liver cirrhosis therapy (2025) · cites this paper as [30]
Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of MSC transplantation in treating liver cirrhosis caused by diverse etiologies, such as HBV/HCV infection, alcoholic liver disease, and autoimmune hepatitis.
“Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of MSC transplantation in treating liver cirrhosis caused by diverse etiologies, such as HBV/HCV infection, alcoholic liver disease, and autoimmune hepatitis [288, 289, 292].”
From Mechanisms, efficacy, and future perspectives of cellular-based therapies for liver fibrosis/cirrhosis: focusing on mesenchymal stromal cells (2025) · cites this paper as [289]
The improvements in serum ALB in the single peripheral MSC transplantation study cannot be definitively attributed solely to MSC transplantation because the study was not a controlled trial; they may be due to the natural course of cirrhosis or a placebo effect.
“Nevertheless, we cannot definitively attribute these improvements solely to MSC transplantation, given that the study was not a controlled trial. It may simply be attributable to the natural course of cirrhosis or a placebo effect.”
From Mechanisms, efficacy, and future perspectives of cellular-based therapies for liver fibrosis/cirrhosis: focusing on mesenchymal stromal cells (2025) · cites this paper as [289]
Intravenous infusion of 1 × 10^6 MSCs per kilogram increased serum ALB levels for up to 2 years in patients.
“Similarly, intravenous infusion of 1”
From Mechanisms, efficacy, and future perspectives of cellular-based therapies for liver fibrosis/cirrhosis: focusing on mesenchymal stromal cells (2025) · cites this paper as [289]
A clinical study of single peripheral MSC transplantation showed improved serum ALB levels at a 2-year follow-up.
“Another clinical study conducted a single MSC transplantation peripherally and showed improved serum ALB levels at a 2-year follow-up, suggesting that a single injection may be sufficient to induce fibrosis regression [289].”
From Mechanisms, efficacy, and future perspectives of cellular-based therapies for liver fibrosis/cirrhosis: focusing on mesenchymal stromal cells (2025) · cites this paper as [289]
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Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine
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“This collaborative effort enhanced the speed of fibrosis regression and immune response modulation [30].”
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“Similarly, intravenous infusion of 1 × 10 6 cells per kilo-gram increased serum ALB levels for up to 2 years in patients [289].”
- Authors
- Liang, J., Zhang, H., Zhao, C., Wang, D., Ma, X., Zhao, S., Wang, S., Niu, L., & Sun, L.
- Affiliations
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Sun, Lingyun
- Venue
- International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2017-02-20
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 1219-1226
- ISSN
- 1756-1841 (ISSN-L)
- 1756-185X
- OpenAlex
- W2589843307
- Cited by
- 93
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 5
- FWCI
- 4.87
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (91442119, 81571586)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Genetics › Mesenchymal stem cell research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Hepatology › Liver Disease and Transplantation
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Hepatology › Liver Diseases and Immunity
- Keywords
- liver cirrhosis, autoimmune liver disease, human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, MELD score, liver function, treatment efficacy and safety
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Autoimmune Diseases, Feasibility Studies, Female, Humans, Immunosuppressive Agents, Liver Cirrhosis, Liver Function Tests, Male, Middle Aged, Prothrombin Time, Time Factors, Transplantation, Homologous, Biomarkers, Autoimmunity, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Liver Transplantation, Treatment Outcome, Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation, Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation, Young Adult
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