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World J Methodol. Dec 26, 2013; 3(4): 65-69
Published online Dec 26, 2013. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v3.i4.65
Bone marrow cell-based regenerative therapy for liver cirrhosis
Takafumi Saito, Kyoko Tomita, Hiroaki Haga, Kazuo Okumoto, Yoshiyuki Ueno
Takafumi Saito, Kyoko Tomita, Hiroaki Haga, Kazuo Okumoto, Yoshiyuki Ueno, Department of Gastroenterology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata 990-9585, Japan
Author contributions: Saito T, Tomita K, Haga H, Okumoto K and Ueno Y contributed equally to this paper.
Correspondence to: Takafumi Saito, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, 2-2-2 Iida-nishi, Yamagata 990-9585, Japan. tasaitoh@med.id.yamagata-u.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-23-6285309 Fax: +81-23-6285311
Received: September 25, 2013
Revised: November 6, 2013
Accepted: December 12, 2013
Published online: December 26, 2013
Abstract

Bone marrow cells are capable of differentiation into liver cells. Therefore, transplantation of bone marrow cells has considerable potential as a future therapy for regeneration of damaged liver tissue. Autologous bone marrow infusion therapy has been applied to patients with liver cirrhosis, and improvement of liver function parameters has been demonstrated. In this review, we summarize clinical trials of regenerative therapy using bone marrow cells for advanced liver diseases including cirrhosis, as well as topics pertaining to basic in vitro or in vivo approaches in order to outline the essentials of this novel treatment modality.

Keywords: Bone marrow; Liver regeneration; Cirrhosis; Stem cell; Transplantation

Core tip: Bone marrow cells, which include multipotent progenitor cells, are capable of differentiation into liver cells. Autologous bone marrow infusion therapy has been applied to cirrhotic patients, and improvement of liver function parameters has been demonstrated. Although the efficacy of this treatment modality needs to be evaluated in more detail in a large number of patients, regenerative therapy using bone marrow cells for advanced liver diseases has considerable potential.