Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells attenuate liver fibrosis in mice and inhibit hepatic stellate cell activation by secreting soluble factors.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as promising candidates to treat clinical liver fibrosis. However, the key factors and mechanisms underlying their antifibrotic effects remain largely unclear. Our aims were to assess the therapeutic efficacy of human umbilical cord (UC) MSCs in a murine liver fibrosis model, and to dissect the influence of their secretome in vitro.

Methods

Liver fibrosis was induced in mice using carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). Fluorescent labeling was used to track UC-MSC distribution post-injection, comparing intraperitoneal (IP) and intravenous (IV) delivery. UC-MSCs were administered intraperitoneally weekly, starting at either fibrosis induction (prevention) or after six weeks (therapeutic). Fibrosis severity was evaluated by hematoxyl

SUBMITTER: Zhou Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12751779 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature