Skip to main content
Fig. 7 | Stem Cell Research & Therapy

Fig. 7

From: Intraportally delivered stem cell spheroids localize in the liver and protect hepatocytes against GalN/LPS-induced fulminant hepatic toxicity

Fig. 7

Proposed mechanism of hepatoprotection by intraportally delivered MSC spheroids. Majority of the 2D-ADSC die due to oxidative stressful environment in the inflamed liver or distribute to distant organs via circulation. This leads to a poor engraftment of MSC in the liver and failure of MSC to modulate liver microenvironment. In contrast, local delivery of 3D-ADSC via portal vein results in the engraftment of 3D-ADSC into liver sinusoids. In addition, upregulation of the antioxidant defense enzymes, such as HO-1, CAT, and SOD2, enhances survival of the 3D-ADSC against the oxidative stressful environment in the liver. This leads to a secretion of higher levels of PGE2 by 3D-ADSC which programs macrophage polarization from M1 to M2 phenotype. The M2 macrophages secrete higher level of IL-10 and lower level of TNF-α which results in hepatoprotection

Back to article page