Abstract:

Objective     To investigate the possibility of inducing human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(HMSCs) to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells in liver injury rat models.   Methods    HMSCs were induced to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells after being transplanted through the portal vein into the injured Fischer 344 rats which previously underwent  partial hepatectomy (PH) or whole body irradiation (IR). The hepatic metabolic functions  were measured by determining the alanime transaminase(ALT), total bilirubin(TBiL) and prothrombin time(PT) after model-building. Expression of the human specific DNA fragment Alu-sx was detected in the liver of Fischer 344 rats by PCR. Results   The hepatic metabolic functions of the rats in cell transplantation groups were apparently better than in the control group. Expressions of human specific DNA fragment Alu-sx and rat specific DNA fragment Sox11 were positive in the livers of cell transplantation groups. Conclusion    HMSCs can survive, differentiate into functional hepatocyte-like cells and express the human specific antigen in injured livers of Fischer 344 rats, contributing to the recovery of liver functions.

Key words: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells; Cell differentiation; Hepatocyte-like cells; Partial hepatectomy; Rat