Liver Disease and Cell Therapy: Advances Made and Remaining Challenges

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Hepatology
• Cell Therapy

Background:

• Limited organ availability for liver transplantation drives the need for alternative therapies for end-stage liver disease.
• Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) possess potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, making them promising for inflammatory liver conditions.
• Clinical focus has shifted from MSC regenerative potential to their immunomodulatory capabilities.

Approach:

• This review examines translational and clinical studies of MSCs in various liver diseases.
• The impact of MSCs on dampening immune-mediated liver damage is analyzed.
• Emerging applications of MSC-derived extracellular vesicles are also discussed.

Key Points:

• MSCs have demonstrated encouraging efficacy and safety in over 30 years of research and early clinical studies.
• Significant progress has been made in understanding MSCs' biological activity for liver disease treatment.
• Inconsistencies in study protocols and manufacturing standards hinder direct comparison and clinical adoption.

Conclusions:

• Standardized protocols for MSC manufacture and administration are crucial for consistent clinical outcomes.
• Addressing remaining clinical challenges is essential for MSCs to become a viable therapy for liver disease patients.
• MSC-derived extracellular vesicles represent a promising alternative to cell-based therapy.