Stimulation of liver regeneration after hepatectomy in mice by injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via the portal vein

Transplant Proc. 2012 May;44(4):1107-9. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2012.01.088.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate whether mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMC) stimulate liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy.

Methods: Isolated BMCs were purified by density gradient centrifugation. We performed a 70% hepatectomy in male BALB/c mice followed by injection of BMCs into the portal vein (PV-BMC group), or the tail vein (IV-BMC group), or of saline into the portal vein (control group).

Results: The wet weight of the liver remnant increased significantly in the PV-BMC group at 3 and 5 days after hepatectomy compared with the IV-BMC and control groups. The Ki-67 labeling index revealed that the increase to result from stimulation of DNA synthesis. The constitutive interleukin-6 and hepatocyte growth factor mRNAs in the remnant liver tended to increase in the PV-BMC group at 3 days after hepatectomy.

Conclusions: These results demonstrated that BMC injection into the portal vein enhanced liver growth after partial hepatectomy in mice.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • DNA Replication
  • Hepatectomy*
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor / genetics
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics
  • Ki-67 Antigen / metabolism
  • Liver / blood supply
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver / physiopathology
  • Liver / surgery*
  • Liver Regeneration*
  • Male
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Portal Vein*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Time Factors
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor