Isolation and Characterization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Fetal Liver; Potential Candidates for Replacement Therapy in Liver Disease

Isolation and Characterization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Fetal Liver; Potential Candidates for Replacement Therapy in Liver Disease

Liver cell transplantation (LCT) is emerging as an alternative to organ transplantation in the treatment of liver disease since tissue unavailability and immunological incompatibilities are still major obstacles. Primary human hepatocytes are the first choice for LCT. However the unavailability of liver donors, the need for high numbers of hepatocytes for transplantation, immunological rejection, and low activity and inability to expand hepatocytes in vitro are limiting factors.