The protective effect of adipose-derived stem cells against liver injury by trophic molecules

Background
In this study we investigated whether adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) had any beneficial protective effects on liver injury and regeneration in vivo. Moreover, we examined whether ADSCs protect hepatocytes by trophic molecules.
Materials and Methods
We transplanted ADSCs into mice after 70% hepatectomy (Hx) and ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), and observed liver injury and regeneration after reperfusion. We co-cultured hepatocytes with ADSCs using a Transwell System for seven days and evaluated the viabilities of hepatocytes and the cytokine levels in the culture medium. Bevacizumab was used in order to confirm the effect of VEGF on hepatocytes.
Results
ADSCs improved serum liver function at six hours after reperfusion in a non-lethal model and stimulated liver regeneration at 24 hours after reperfusion in a lethal model. VEGF levels in the culture medium increased by co-culture ADSCs with hepatocytes. ADSCs improved the viabilities of hepatocytes. The inhibited production of VEGF by bevacizumab did not affect the viability of hepatocytes.
Conclusions
ADSCs were able to ameliorate liver injury and stimulate liver regeneration in subsequent Hx and I/R injured model mice. Furthermore, hepatocytes were protected by the trophic molecules of the ADSCs. However, such protective effects might be provided by mechanisms other than VEGF signaling.

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本論文は, 著者Yu Saitoの学位論文として提出され, 学位審査・授与の対象となっている。