Review
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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 7, 2014; 20(1): 126-132
Published online Jan 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i1.126
Role of BMSCs in liver regeneration and metastasis after hepatectomy
Hua-Lian Hang, Qiang Xia
Hua-Lian Hang, Qiang Xia, Department of Liver Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, China
Author contributions: Hang HL designed the study and wrote the manuscript; Xia Q coordinated and provided the collection of all the human material, in addition to providing financial support for this work.
Supported by The National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81100306; and the Science and Technology Commission Medical Foundation of Shanghai, No. 134119a9501
Correspondence to: Qiang Xia, Professor, Department of Liver Surgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, No. 1630 Dongfang Road Pudong New Area, Shanghai 200127, China. xiaqiang@medmail.com.cn
Telephone: +86-21-68383775 Fax: +86-21-58737232
Received: July 21, 2013
Revised: November 13, 2013
Accepted: November 28, 2013
Published online: January 7, 2014
Processing time: 182 Days and 17.9 Hours
Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which develops from liver cirrhosis, is highly prevalent worldwide and is a malignancy that leads to liver failure and systemic metastasis. While surgery is the preferred treatment for HCC, intervention and liver transplantation are also treatment options for end-stage liver disease. However, the success of partial hepatectomy and intervention is hindered by the decompensation of liver function. Conversely, liver transplantation is difficult to carry out due to its high cost and the lack of donor organs. Fortunately, research into bone-marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) has opened a new door in this field. BMSCs are a type of stem cell with powerful proliferative and differential potential that represent an attractive tool for the establishment of successful stem cell-based therapy for liver diseases. A number of different stromal cells contribute to the therapeutic effects exerted by BMSCs because BMSCs can differentiate into functional hepatic cells and can produce a series of growth factors and cytokines capable of suppressing inflammatory responses, reducing hepatocyte apoptosis, reversing liver fibrosis and enhancing hepatocyte functionality. Additionally, it has been shown that BMSCs can increase the apoptosis rate of cancer cells and inhibit tumor metastasis in some microenvironments. This review focuses on BMSCs and their possible applications in liver regeneration and metastasis after hepatectomy.

Keywords: Bone marrow stromal cells; Liver cancer; Liver regeneration; Liver metastasis

Core tip: Recent research has demonstrated that bone-marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) are a type of stem cell with powerful proliferative and differential potential that play an important role in the repair and regeneration of multiple organs and tissues, and these cells have become the focus of recent research. This review discusses the involvement of BMSCs in liver regeneration and metastasis after hepatectomy.