[Therapeutic effect of BMSCs with over-expressed MMP1 on liver fibrosis]

To investigate the function of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) with over-expressed matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) on liver fibrosis.

Fifty SD male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: recombinant adenovirus Adhuman MMP-1(hMMP-1)-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) transfected BMSCs group (Group A, n=10), Ad-EGFP transfected BMSCs group (Group B, n=10), liver fibrosis group (Group C, n=15), and a normal group (Group D, n=15). The liver fibrosis model was formed by subcutaneous injection of the mixed liquor of carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) and vegetable oil. After 10 weeks, the model of liver fibrosis was formed. Group A and B were administered the transfected BMSCs via the tail veins, while Group C and D were administered normal saline. After 3 weeks, the rats were sacrificed. The body weight, liver weight, liver function, liver fibrosis indexes and liver pathological changes were tested.

Compared with the control group, the rats administered BMSCs with over-expressed MMP1 showed a significant improvement in the body weight, liver weight and plasma albumin (ALB) (P<0.05), and a significant reduction in the plasma alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, hyaluronic acid, laminin and procollagen III (P<0.05). Hematoxylin-eosin staining confirmed that the degree of liver fibrosis was significantly ameliorated under average visual fields (P<0.05).

The repair ability of BMSCs on liver fibrosis can be enhanced by over-expression of hMMP-1.