Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Xenograft Mice Model Publisher Pubmed



Hajighasemlou S^{1, 2} ; Nikbakht M³ ; Pakzad S² ; Azadbakht A^{4, 5} ; Muhammadnejad S⁶ ; Mirmoghtadaei M^{7, 8} ; Gharibzadeh S⁹ ; Seyhoun I¹ ; Verdi J¹
Source: Veterinary Medicine and Science Published:2022

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Sorafenib is the standard treatment used in the advanced stages of HCC. Cell therapy with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-based cell therapy has proven effective in immune regulation and tumour growth inhibition. Objectives: In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of MSCs on HCC xenografts. Methods: Human HepG2 cell lines were subcutaneously implanted into the flank of 12 nude mice, divided into three groups: the control group, the IV group (intravenous MSCs injection) and the local group (local MSCs injection). Mice were sacrificed 6 weeks after tumour implantation, and tumours were resected entirety. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) measured the gene expression of inflammatory markers, including tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1α and IL-10. Aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and urea levels were measured using spectrophotometry to ensure the safety of MSC therapy. Results: Gene expressions for all three inflammatory markers were reduced in both MSCs groups compared to the control group. AST, ALT and urea levels remained in normal ranges. Conclusions: MSC therapy can reduce inflammation in HCC xenograft mouse models. © 2022 The Authors. Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.