Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Selective Harvesting of Marginating-hepatic Leukocytes
06:53

Selective Harvesting of Marginating-hepatic Leukocytes

Published on: July 21, 2016

6.1K

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells suppress NK cell recruitment and activation in PolyI:C-induced liver

Mengmeng Qu1, Jun Cui1, Jun Zhu1

  • 1School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|September 7, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) reduce liver injury by suppressing natural killer (NK) cells. BM-MSCs decrease NK cell accumulation and activation, offering therapeutic potential for immune-mediated liver diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Hepatology
  • Stem Cell Biology

Background:

  • Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess immunomodulatory properties with therapeutic potential for immune diseases.
  • The impact of MSCs on hepatic immunity, particularly in liver injury models, remains incompletely understood.
  • Natural killer (NK) cells are implicated in the pathogenesis of various liver injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) on hepatic NK cells in a polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (PolyI:C)-induced liver injury model.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which BM-MSCs modulate NK cell activity in the context of liver injury.

Main Methods:

  • Induction of liver injury in mice using PolyI:C.
  • Adoptive transfer of BM-MSCs into injured mice.
  • Assessment of liver injury markers (ALT levels, lymphocyte infiltration).
  • Analysis of NK cell accumulation, activation, and expression of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor type 5 (S1PR5).
  • In vitro co-culture of NK cells with BM-MSCs.
  • Evaluation of NK cell chemotaxis towards sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P).

Main Results:

  • Adoptive transfer of BM-MSCs ameliorated PolyI:C-induced liver injury, evidenced by reduced alanine aminotransferase levels and decreased hepatic lymphocyte infiltration.
  • BM-MSCs significantly suppressed NK cell accumulation and activation within the liver.
  • Co-culture with BM-MSCs reduced S1PR5 expression on NK cells, impairing their trafficking.
  • BM-MSC administration inhibited PolyI:C-induced S1PR5 upregulation in the liver and suppressed NK cell chemotaxis mediated by S1P.

Conclusions:

  • BM-MSCs effectively mitigate liver injury induced by PolyI:C, partly through the suppression of hepatic NK cell activity.
  • BM-MSCs modulate NK cell function by downregulating S1PR5 expression and inhibiting S1P-driven chemotaxis.
  • These findings highlight a novel mechanism of BM-MSC immunosuppression and support their therapeutic application in immune-mediated liver disorders involving NK cells.
Keywords:
Liver injuryMSCsNK cellsS1PR5

More Related Videos

Assessment of the Immunomodulatory Properties of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells MSCs06:20

Assessment of the Immunomodulatory Properties of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells MSCs

Published on: December 24, 2015

13.0K
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Regulation of Macrophage Phagocytosis; Quantitation and Imaging09:10

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Regulation of Macrophage Phagocytosis; Quantitation and Imaging

Published on: July 16, 2021

3.7K

Related Concept Videos

Mesenchymal Stem Cells01:19

Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can differentiate into most connective tissue cell types, except for hematopoietic cells, depending upon the source of MSCs. For example, bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) can differentiate into osteocytes, hepatocytes, and pancreatic and neuronal cells. MSCs can be isolated from various sources such as bone marrow, placenta, adipose tissue, teeth, and Wharton’s jelly, a gelatinous substance in the umbilical cord. The ease of their...
6.0K
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
8.3K
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells01:01

Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

All blood and immune cells are produced from the multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by the process of hematopoiesis. However, they all have a limited life span. In addition, many are depleted in immune surveillance or combatting an injury or infection. This makes blood one of the most regenerative tissues. Hematopoiesis helps replenish these blood and immune cells, restoring the body's normal functioning. However, overproduction of blood and immune cells can make them cancerous or...
4.4K
Liver Regeneration01:24

Liver Regeneration

The liver is an important organ in vertebrates that plays an essential role in metabolism. It is also responsible for storing and redistributing nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins in the body. Additionally, the liver releases bile salts which are critical for digesting food and eliminating toxic metabolites from the body.
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are...
5.0K