Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells alleviate liver fibrosis in rats

Core tip: Dysregulation of the M1/M2 macrophages phenotypic balance governs the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and liver function tests showed that umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) could promote the mobilization of M1 Kupffer cells (KCs) into the M2 phenotype in vivo and in vitro thereby ameliorating liver inflammation and liver fibrosis. Thus, UC-MSC transfusion yielded promising results with regard to reversal of liver injury and alleviated liver fibrosis by promoting KC mobilization and hepatocyte differentiation. The application of UC-MSCs might provide a new tool for cell therapy of liver fibrosis.