The effect of nanoparticle labeled bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells as a therapeutic strategy for experimentally induced liver fibrosis in albino rats
Objectives: This study aims at exploring the therapeutic efficacy of
superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIO) labeled bone
marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) on carbon
tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver fibrosis in adult female albino rats.
Material and methods: MSCs were obtained from 10 male Sprague
Dawley rats and 50 female rats were assigned into 2 groups; control
group (CG) and experimental group (EG). EG was subdivided into
three subgroups. Induction group by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4
for 8 weeks, MSCs treated + CCl4 group (MSCs+CCl4G) received
SPIO- BM-MSCs simultaneously with CCl4 administration to assess
the effect of SPIO-BM-MSCs on the prevention of progression of
liver fibrosis with the persistence of the cause. MSCs treated group
(MSCsG), received SPIO-BM-MSCs after withdrawal of CCl4. The
rats were sacrificed after 8 weeks and assessed by histological
examination, liver function tests, transforming growth factor-beta
(TGF-ß1) immunofluorescence staining, PCR for quantification of
the gene expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1)
and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1).
Results: SPIO labeled MSCs were engrafted in the fibrotic liver
and MSCs improved liver functions, enhanced the gene expression
of MMP-1, whereas TIMP1 gene expression was depressed.
Histological and morphometric studies confirmed these results.
Conclusion: BM-MSCs prove to be a promising therapy for liver
fibrosis.
