Mesenchymal stem cells attenuate liver fibrosis by targeting Ly6C^hi/lo macrophages through activating the cytokine-paracrine and apoptotic pathways.

ABSTRACT: Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has become a promising treatment for liver fibrosis due to its predominant immunomodulatory performance in hepatic stellate cell inhibition and fibrosis resolution. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these processes remain limited. In the present study, we provide insights into the functional role of bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) in alleviating liver fibrosis by targeting intrahepatic Ly6C^hi and Ly6C^lo macrophage subsets in a mouse model. Upon chronic injury, the Ly6C^hi subset was significantly increased in the inflamed liver. Transplantation of BM-MSCs markedly promoted a phenotypic switch from pro-fibrotic Ly6C^hi subset to restorative Ly6C^lo subpopulation by secreting pa

SUBMITTER: Li YH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8437974 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature