Therapeutic Potential of Canine Bone Marrow Stromal Cells (BMSCs) in the Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl₄) Induced Chronic Liver Dysfunction Mouse Model

Abstract

Regenerative medicine using bone marrow cells is an attractive therapy for the cure of patients with severe liver disease. Here, we show the therapeutic potential of canine bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in mouse models of CCl₄-induced chronic liver dysfunction. We used two different models for xenotransplantation, nude mice and cyclosporine A (CSA) immunosuppressed mice. Serum parameters from a standard liver panel were not improved following transplantation. However, fibrotic liver lesions with severe inflammation were decreased in CCl₄-treated CSA mice following BMSC transplantation. Effective migration of transplanted canine BMSCs was limited to persistently injured liver in CCl₄-treated CSA mice, where they may be effective in resolving inflammatory fibrotic lesions. These results suggest that canine BMSCs are an effective cell source for liver regeneration.