Silva B, Bragança J. Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells for modeling and treating metabolic associated fatty liver disease and metabolic associated steatohepatitis: Challenges and opportunities. World J Stem Cells 2025; 17(2): 99331 [DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v17.i2.99331]
Corresponding Author of This Article
José Bragança, Associate Professor, PhD, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Algarve Biomedical Center-Research Institute, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, Building 8, Room 2.22, Faro 8005-139, Portugal. jebraganca@ualg.pt
Research Domain of This Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Article-Type of This Article
Minireviews
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This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (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: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Stem Cells. Feb 26, 2025; 17(2): 99331 Published online Feb 26, 2025. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v17.i2.99331
Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells for modeling and treating metabolic associated fatty liver disease and metabolic associated steatohepatitis: Challenges and opportunities
Bárbara Silva, José Bragança
Bárbara Silva, Algarve Biomedical Center-Research Institute, University of Algarve, Faro 8005-139, Portugal
Bárbara Silva, José Bragança, Algarve Biomedical Center, University of Algarve, Faro 8005-139, Portugal
Bárbara Silva, José Bragança, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro 8005-139, Portugal
Bárbara Silva, PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Algarve, Faro 8005-139, Portugal
José Bragança, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Algarve Biomedical Center-Research Institute, University of Algarve, Faro 8005-139, Portugal
José Bragança, Champalimaud Research Program, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon 1000-001, Portugal
Author contributions: Silva B and Bragança J contributed to the conceptualization; Silva B contributed to the writing of the original draft; Bragança J contributed to reviewing and editing, project administration, and funding acquisition; All authors read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Supported by American Heart Association Award, No. 24IVPHA1288417; and FCT Fellowships, No. 2022.13253.BDANA.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All 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: José Bragança, Associate Professor, PhD, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Algarve Biomedical Center-Research Institute, University of Algarve, Campus of Gambelas, Building 8, Room 2.22, Faro 8005-139, Portugal. jebraganca@ualg.pt
Received: July 19, 2024 Revised: November 21, 2024 Accepted: January 14, 2025 Published online: February 26, 2025 Processing time: 219 Days and 12 Hours
Abstract
The potential of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for modeling and treating metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and metabolic associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is emerging. MAFLD is a growing global health concern, currently with limited treatment options. While primary mesenchymal stem cells hold promise, iPSCs offer a versatile alternative due to their ability to differentiate into various cell types, including iPSC-derived mesenchymal stem cells. However, challenges remain, including optimizing differentiation protocols, ensuring cell safety, and addressing potential tumorigenicity risks. In addition, iPSCs offer the possibility to generate complex cellular models, including three-dimensional organoid models, which are closer representations of the human disease than animal models. Those models would also be valuable for drug discovery and personalized medicine approaches. Overall, iPSCs and their derivatives offer new perspectives for advancing MAFLD/MASH research and developing novel therapeutic strategies. Further research is needed to overcome current limitations and translate this potential into effective clinical applications.
Core Tip: Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) show promise for modeling and treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. iPSCs can generate various cell types, including cells for therapy or disease modeling. Challenges remain, but iPSCs offer potential for drug discovery and personalized medicine approaches for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
