Researchers at Sechenov University in Russia have successfully used cell therapy to repair damaged liver tissue and achieve long-lasting recovery in animal trials.
The joint study was conducted alongside team members from the Shumakov National Medical Research Center of Transplantology and Artificial Organs and Bauman Moscow State Technical University, the university press service told Lenta.ru.
Researchers focused on treating liver fibrosis, a condition caused by chronic organ damage where normal functional tissue is progressively replaced by dense connective scar tissue. As scar tissue builds up, organ function steadily declines, and severe cases can progress to irreversible cirrhosis and total liver failure.
Animal testing and cell sources
Mesenchymal stromal cells, often referred to as MSCs, are multipotent stem cells capable of transforming into specialized cell types and releasing biological signals that reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair. Medical researchers frequently harvest these cells from adult tissues such as bone marrow and fat deposits.
To evaluate the treatment, scientists induced liver fibrosis in laboratory rats and subsequently administered injections of mesenchymal stromal cells. The therapeutic cells used in the experiment were collected from two distinct biological sources: adipose tissue, also known as fat tissue, and bone marrow.
The research team monitored the physical condition and tissue structure of the animals' livers across four designated checkpoints, evaluating recovery at 14, 30, 90, and 270 days after administering the cell therapy.
Nine month trial outcomes
Both cell therapy variations led to positive health improvements in the laboratory animals during the initial weeks of observation. However, distinct differences between the two therapeutic approaches became evident by the conclusion of the nine month monitoring period.
Animals that received mesenchymal stromal cells derived from adipose tissue exhibited a noticeably more favorable liver tissue state after 270 days than those treated with cells sourced from bone marrow.
In particular, the two groups showed clear differences in the amount of connective tissue remaining in the liver and in metrics tracking cellular division. According to the research team, these findings suggest that adipose-derived stem cells hold a superior capability for sustaining long-term structural restoration in damaged liver tissue.
Medical background and current status
Sechenov University, established in Moscow, is Russia's oldest medical training school and a leading center for biomedical research. The Shumakov Center is renowned for organ transplantation research, while Bauman Moscow State Technical University provides bioengineering capabilities for medical innovation.
Despite the encouraging experimental results in animal models, the university press service clarified that the treatment protocol remains in an experimental phase. The cell therapy technique is not currently applied to human patients suffering from liver fibrosis.
Liver fibrosis typically develops as a response to persistent liver injury caused by conditions such as chronic viral hepatitis, heavy alcohol consumption, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. If left unchecked, progressive scarring severely limits the liver's ability to filter blood, process nutrients, and produce essential proteins.
While regenerative medicine strategies like stem cell therapy aim to restore organ function without requiring full organ transplantation, researchers noted that further preclinical testing is necessary to validate safety and long-term efficacy.
