Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and liver regeneration: believe the hypoxia!

There are limited data on the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in models of extensive hepatic resection. In the previous issue of Stem Cell Research & Therapy, Yu and colleagues demonstrate that transient hypoxic preconditioning of MSCs improves their efficacy in a rat model of massive hepatectomy. This effect appears to be mediated, in part, by increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production by the preconditioned MSCs as well as the injured liver. Neutralizing VEGF antibodies ameliorated the benefit of hypoxia-preconditioned MSCs, establishing VEGF as a key mediator of their benefit. This novel approach merits further exploration both mechanistically and to establish the functional advantages of MSCs in other injury settings.