Mesenchymal stem cells reverse high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through suppression of CD4+ T lymphocytes in mice

Although the multipotency of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) makes them an attractive choice for clinical applications, immune modulation is an important factor affecting MSC transplantation. At present, the effect of treatment with MSCs on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has received little attention. In the present study, a compact bone-derived method was used to isolate mouse MSCs (mMSCs) and a high-fat diet was used to establish a mouse model of NAFLD. Immunophenotypic features of mMSCs were analyzed using flow cytometry. Paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to assess inflammation and steatosis, and with picrosirius red to assess fibrosis. Spleen leukocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry. The results demonstrated that compact bone-derived MSC transplantation decreased high-fat diet-induced weight gain, expansion of subcutaneous adipose tissue, steatosis, lobular inflammation and liver fibrogenesis. Flow cytometry analysis of spleen leukocytes demonstrated that compact bone-derived MSC transplantation suppressed the proliferation of cluster of differentiation (CD) 4(+) T lymphocytes in the spleen, which had been induced by the high-fat diet. In conclusion, compact bone-derived MSCs may exhibit clinical value in the treatment of NAFLD through their capacity to suppress the activation of CD4(+) T cells.