Sign in Subscribe
Cancer research

Breakthrough in Liver Regeneration: Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhance Liver Growth and Attenuate Fibrosis

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have made a significant discovery in the field of tissue engineering, revealing that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) loaded in injectable alginate hydrogels can promote liver growth and attenuate liver fibrosis in cirrhotic rats. This innovative approach holds promise for improving outcomes among cancer patients, particularly those with liver diseases.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that MSCs loaded in alginate hydrogels maintained 89.0 ± 3.0% cell viability and gradually released MSCs for over two weeks, achieving higher liver volumes (FLR ratio of 0.57 ± 0.32) and weights (FLR ratio of 0.84 ± 0.05) in cirrhotic rats.
  • The treated rats exhibited improved liver enzymes (AST: 72.75 ± 14.17 U/L, ALP: 135.67 ± 41.20 U/L, ALT: 46.00 ± 2.94 U/L) and decreased fibrotic areas in the liver (4.52 ± 0.22%) compared to the control group.
  • Histology revealed increased retention of MSCs when delivered with the hydrogel (37.30 ± 16.10 MSCs/mm²) compared to cells alone (21.70 ± 22.10 MSCs/mm²).
  • The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health-national Cancer Institute, the Joint Center For Computational Oncology (Jcco) Pilot Grant, and the Department of Science And Technology-philippine Council For Health Research And Development.
  • The study's lead author, Dominic Karl M. Bolinas, notes that this approach holds significant potential for improving outcomes among cancer patients, offering a promising therapeutic strategy for liver regeneration and treatment of liver diseases.

Statistics:

  • 89.0 ± 3.0% cell viability was maintained by MSCs loaded in alginate hydrogels.
  • MSCs were released for over two weeks from the alginate hydrogels.
  • Liver volumes (FLR ratio of 0.57 ± 0.32) and weights (FLR ratio of 0.84 ± 0.05) increased in cirrhotic rats treated with MSC-loaded hydrogels.
  • Liver enzymes were improved in treated rats (AST: 72.75 ± 14.17 U/L, ALP: 135.67 ± 41.20 U/L, ALT: 46.00 ± 2.94 U/L).
  • Fibrotic areas in the liver decreased in treated rats (4.52 ± 0.22%).

Sources:

  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells Loaded in Injectable Alginate Hydrogels Promote Liver Growth and Attenuate Liver Fibrosis in Cirrhotic Rats. Gels, 2025, 11(4):250. (Gels - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/gels)
  • NewsRx. Research from University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Tissue Engineering Provides New Insights (Mesenchymal Stem Cells Loaded in Injectable Alginate Hydrogels Promote Liver Growth and Attenuate Liver Fibrosis in Cirrhotic Rats). Cancer Weekly. May 13, 2025; p 430.

Read more