Role of mesenchymal stem cells in partial liver transplantation

Abstract

First performed in 1963 [1], liver transplantation has developed in its clinical application and is now considered the only therapeutic option for patients with end-stage chronic liver disease and severe acute liver failure [2]. Despite its proven benefits to patient care, a shortage of donor organs has limited the expansion of hepatic transplantation into more widespread application. In an attempt to increase the availability and utilization of viable donor organs, innovative techniques of reduced-size liver transplantation (RSLT), living donor liver transplantation, and split liver transplantation have been developed to maximize donor organ use [3].