Adipose Tissue and Umbilical Cord Tissue: Potential Sources of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Liver Fibrosis Treatment

Background/Aims: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are potential alternatives for liver fibrosis treatment; however, their optimal sources remain uncertain. This study compares the ex -vivo expansion characteristics of MSCs obtained from adipose tissue (AT) and umbilical cord (UC) and assesses their therapeutic potential for liver fibrosis treatment. Methods: Since MSCs from early to mid -passage numbers (P2-P6) are preferable for cellular therapy, we investigated the growth kinetics of AT-MSCs and UC-MSCs up to P6 and evaluated their therapeutic effects in a rat model of liver fibrosis induced by diethylnitrosamine. Results: Results from the expansion studies demonstrated that both cell types exhibited bona fide characteristics of MSCs, including surface antigens, pluripotent gene expression, and differentiation potential. However, AT-MSCs demonstrated a shorter doubling time (58.2 +/- 7.3 vs. 82.3 +/- 4.3 h; P < 0.01) and a higher population doubling level (10.1 +/- 0.7 vs. 8.2 +/- 0.3; P < 0.01) compared to UC-MSCs, resulting in more cellular yield (230 +/- 9.0 vs. 175 +/- 13.2 million) in less time. Animal studies demonstrated that both MSC types significantly reduced liver fibrosis (P < 0.05 vs. the control group) while also improving liver function and downregulating fibrosis -associated gene expression. Conclusion: AT-MSCs and UC-MSCs effectively reduce liver fibrosis. However, adipose cultures display an advantage by yielding a higher number of MSCs in a shorter duration, rendering them a viable choice for scenarios requiring immediate single -dose administration, often encountered in clinical settings. (J CLIN EXP HEPA- TOL 2024;14:101364)