Author/Authors :
Pournasr, Behshad Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology - Cell Science Research Center - Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology - ACECR, Tehran , Mohamadnejad, Mehdi Digestive Disease Research Center - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Bagheri, Mohammad Digestive Disease Research Center - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Aghdami, Naser Department of Regenerative Biomedicine and Cell Therapy - Cell Sciences Research Center - Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology - ACECR, Tehran , Shahsavani, Mansoureh Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology - Cell Science Research Center - Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology - ACECR, Tehran , Reza, Malekzadeh Digestive Disease Research Center - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Hossein, Baharvand Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology - Cell Science Research Center - Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology - ACECR, Tehran
Abstract :
Background: Orthotropic liver transplantation (OLT) is the nal procedure of both end stage and metabolic liver diseases. Hepatocyte
transplantation is an alternative for OLT, but the sources of hepatocytes are limited. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs)
can differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells and are a potential alternative source for hepatocytes. We aimed to investigate the
differentiation potential of BM-MSCs into hepatocyte-like cells.
Methods: Human BM-MSCs from a healthy donor were cultured and differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells. We investigated the
expression of hepatocyte-specic markers in MSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells (MSC-HLCs) and evaluated their functionality using
metabolic assays.
Results: MSC-HLCs expressed hepatocyte-specic markers at both mRNA and protein levels. In addition, the cells had the ability to
uptake low density lipoprotein (LDL), clear ammonia, secrete albumin, and store glycogen. MSC-HLCs were transplanted into a familial
hypercholesteromia patient.
Conclusion: Human MSCs can be differentiated into partially functional hepatocyte-like cells. Thus, they could be a potential source
for cell therapy in liver disorders.
