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World J Stem Cells. Jul 26, 2024; 16(7): 760-772
Published online Jul 26, 2024. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v16.i7.760
Current perspectives on mesenchymal stem cells as a potential therapeutic strategy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Yan Jiang, Narazah Mohd Yusoff, Jiang Du, Emmanuel Jairaj Moses, Jun-Tang Lin
Yan Jiang, School of Nursing, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453000, Henan Province, China
Yan Jiang, Emmanuel Jairaj Moses, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kepala Batas 13200, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Narazah Mohd Yusoff, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kepala Batas 13200, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Jiang Du, Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Stem Cell Medicine, School of Medical Engineering, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan Province, China
Jiang Du, Jun-Tang Lin, Stem Cells and Biotherapy Engineering Research Center of Henan, National Joint Engineering Laboratory of Stem Cells and Biotherapy, School of Life Science and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, Henan Province, China
Jun-Tang Lin, Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Stem Cell Medicine, School of Medical Engineering, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453000, Henan Province, China
Co-corresponding authors: Emmanuel Jairaj Moses and Jun-Tang Lin.
Author contributions: Jiang Y and Du J prepared and wrote the manuscript; Jiang Y, Du J, and Yusoff NM made the figure and table; Du J and Moses EJ revised the manuscript; Moses EJ and Lin JT were responsible for overall supervision; and all authors have read and approved the final manuscript. Moses EJ and Lin JT made equal contributions to this study. Each co-corresponding author significantly contributed to different essential aspects of the review. These contributions include joint writing and the final review of the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https: //creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Jun-Tang Lin, PhD, Academic Research, Professor, Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Stem Cell Medicine, School of Medical Engineering, Xinxiang Medical University, No. 601 East of Jinsui Road, Xinxiang 453000, Henan Province, China. linjtlin@126.com
Received: March 13, 2024
Revised: May 18, 2024
Accepted: June 14, 2024
Published online: July 26, 2024
Processing time: 133 Days and 23 Hours
Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a significant health challenge, characterized by its widespread prevalence, intricate natural progression and multifaceted pathogenesis. Although NAFLD initially presents as benign fat accumulation, it may progress to steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are recognized for their intrinsic self-renewal, superior biocompatibility, and minimal immunogenicity, positioning them as a therapeutic innovation for liver diseases. Therefore, this review aims to elucidate the potential roles of MSCs in alleviating the progression of NAFLD by alteration of underlying molecular pathways, including glycolipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and fibrosis. The insights are expected to provide further understanding of the potential of MSCs in NAFLD therapeutics, and support the development of MSC-based therapy in the treatment of NAFLD.

Keywords: Non-alcoholic induced fatty liver disease, Mesenchymal stem cells, Lipid accumulation, Inflammation, Oxidative stress, Endoplasmic reticulum stress, Fibrosis

Core Tip: This review highlights the increasing incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and its complex progression, focusing on the underlying mechanisms of disease pathogenesis and contemporary treatment modalities. It delves into the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells, examining their classification, roles, and primary functions in the context of their use in various diseases. The review specifically aims to clarify how mesenchymal stem cells can mitigate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease progression by modulating molecular pathways involved in glycolipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and fibrosis.