Antifibrotic potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in biliary atresia mice

Biliary atresia (BA) is a rare and severe disease that affects infants where a fibroinflammatory process destroys the bile ducts, leading to fibrosis and biliary cirrhosis, and mortality if untreated. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) have been considered as a promising therapy in fibrotic diseases. The aim of the present was to investigate the anti-fibrotic roles of BMMSC transplantation in a BA mouse model. Mouse BA models were established by Rhesus rotavirus administration to neonatal mice. The results revealed that the liver enzyme and bilirubin metabolism levels, and the levels of the oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) and the fibrosis marker were all increased in the BA model, while the liver tissue levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were reduced. The hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining revealed severe liver fibrosis and collagen accumulation in BA livers. However, these indicators were all reversed once the BA mice were administered the BMMSC inoculation. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the anti-fibrotic potential of BMMSCs in BA mice, which may provide a novel approach to ameliorate the fibrotic response in BA patients.