[Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells and their association with liver fibrosis]

At present, the most effective therapeutic method for end-stage liver fibrosis is liver transplantation. However, the application of liver transplantation is limited by a shortage of liver donors, a high incidence rate of surgical complications, graft-versus-host disease, and high medical costs. Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (UC-MSC) transplantation may become a promising method for the treatment of liver diseases. UC-MSCs are adult stem cells which exhibit multipotential differentiation and can differentiate into hepatic parenchymal cells. Due to their functions including immune regulation and secretion of trophic factors, UC-MSCs can inhibit immune response, promote hepatocyte regeneration, alleviate the progression of liver fibrosis, and improve liver function. In addition, compared with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, UC-MSCs have abundant sources, noninvasive collection, and high safety and thus they are attracting more and more attention. This article reviews the characteristics of UC-MSCs and their mechanism of action in the treatment of liver fibrosis, as well as risks of UC-MSCs therapy.