Repopulation of Cirrhotic Liver by Hepatic Stem/Progenitor Cells: A Promising Strategy Alternative to Liver Transplantation

Liver cirrhosis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Liver transplantation is the only successful and curative option for the management of this disease. However, cost effectiveness, timely availability, operative risks, need of life-long immunosuppressant, and shortage of donor organs are major challenges to fulfill the demand. Stem cells transplantation has emerged as a bridge to liver transplantation for the repopulation of cirrhotic liver due to its potential for long-term proliferation. Human fetal liver–derived stem/progenitor cells (fLSPCs) are emerging as safe and effective therapeutic possibility in the management of liver cirrhosis due to their low immunogenicity and high proliferative ability. Combination of mesenchymal stem cells with fLSPCs could be the best option to ameliorate immunomodulation, fibrotic reconstruction, and repopulation of lost hepatocytes to replenish the deficient liver functions. Merging of nanotechnology and whole-liver bioengineering approaches could provide several unanswered questions of regenerative mechanisms and developing extracorporeal liver systems.