Development of cell therapy using autologous bone marrow cells for liver cirrhosis

The plasticity of bone marrow has been confirmed by the autopsy of a female recipient of bone marrow cell transplantation from a male donor. To establish new clinical cell therapies using autologous bone marrow cells for patients with liver failure, we developed a new in vivo model named the green fluorescent protein (GFP)/carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) model. Using the GFP/CCl₄ model, we found that transplanted Liv8-negative cells efficiently repopulated into cirrhotic liver tissue and differentiated into albumin-producing hepatocytes under persistent liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride. Moreover, bone marrow cell transplantation into mice with liver cirrhosis improved liver function and liver fibrosis with the strong expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP-9 activity, resulting in an improved survival rate. Results from the GFP/CCl₄ model showed that cell therapy using autologous bone marrow cells has the potential to become an effective treatment for patients with liver failure. A summary of findings from the GFP/CCl₄ model is described.