Autologous mesenchymal stem cells in treatment of liver cirrhosis: evaluation of effectiveness and visualization method

Abstract

Through clinical observation, we present an assessment of the autologous mesenchymal stem cells effectiveness in treatment of liver cirrhosis of alimentary etiology. In order to determine the localization of the implanted cell structures, the stem cells were previously labeled with iron (II, III) oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). Further MRI visualization helped to detect the cell structures stained with iron oxide nanoparticles in the human body. In 6 months after the cell therapy, the patient underwent clinical and biochemical blood tests, MEGX test, elastography and subjective health assessment test. The tests data analysis revealed the improvement of the values of all examined parameters after the cell treatment. Also in 6 and 12 months after the treatment, a liver biopsy was performed from the area where the implanted stem cells were visualized. In histological examination of liver bioptates obtained from the area of MSC transplantation, the largest number of stained cells was observed in liver micronodes, as well as at the boundaries of micronodes and fibrous septa. A portion of the bioptate obtained in 12 months after transplantation was used to produce primary cell cultures. Before the first re-seeding of the cultures, cell colonies of both fibroblast-like morphology and epithelial were detected in them. Both types of colonies contained the particles.
 Conducting the cell therapy to a patient with liver cirrhosis of alimentary etiology contributed to improving the laboratory and instrumental examinations indicators. The patient had come through the treatment procedure satisfactorily, no complications were registered.

Evaluation Transplantation of Bone-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell in the Patients with Hepatitis C-Related Liver Cirrhosis (Pi lot Study)

“…В контролируемом клиническом исследовании c участием 20 пациентов с декомпенсированным циррозом печени после трансплантации МСК значительно улучшились показатели MELD (Model For End-Stage Liver Disease) (р=0,0001), МНО (р=0,012), билирубина (р <0,0001) и общего альбумина (р <0,0001) [12]. В то же время существуют исследования, в результате которых не удалось продемонстрировать влияния МСК на снижение фиброза печени [13].…”