Human Unrestricted Somatic Stem Cells

Abstract

Stem cell therapies offer the opportunity to transform the approach to hepatic disease. Although current pharmacologic therapy may target specific pathways or receptors, stem cell therapies can provide a living agent able to influence a range of biologic processes. The potential either to enhance hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy in advanced cirrhosis or to provide a bridge to orthotopic liver transplantation has focused research. 1 • 2 Hepatocyte-like cells have been gener­ ated in vitro from embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells,) human multipotent adult stem cells,4 and human peripheral blood monocytes,5 whereas the in vivo adminis­ tration of cells in rodent models has been shown to support hepatic function. 5 • 6 Although the differentiation potential of pluripotent cells into bona fide hepatocytes may be less controversial than that of adult stem cells, the tumorigenic potential of the former is certainly a major limit to their use in clinical settings.7 Initial translational pilot studies testing the direct hepatic administration of bone marrow-derived or unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSC) have been encour­ aging and have the potential to enhance liver regeneration before partial hepatectomy for large tumors and to improve liver function in advanced chronic liver disease.8-11 Ghod­ sizad et al.