Table 2 Comparison of stem cell sources and their disadvantages and advantages
From: Stem cells for treatment of liver fibrosis/cirrhosis: clinical progress and therapeutic potential
Source | Cell type | Disadvantages | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
Bone marrow Blood | BMMSCs BMMNCs HSCs | Invasive acquisition Limited quantity Risk of infection Heterogeneity Delicate sorting Immunogenicity | Strong potential for differentiation Validated safety and efficacy in most clinical trials |
Umbilical cord | UCMSCs | Cellular ageing after continuous passaging | No ethical concern Superior immunosuppression Low cost Highly proliferative |
Adipose | ADMSCs | Moderated differentiation capacity | No ethical concern Autologous Available at large scale No age limit for the donor High isolation success and proliferation rate Resistant to oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and senescence |
Menstrual blood | MenSCs | Inadequate clinical trials | Easy access Highly proliferative Genetic stability |
Teeth | SHED | Absence of rigorous and systematic preparation protocol | Easy access Strong potential for differentiation |
Liver | LDMSCs Liver cells | Invasive acquisition Difficult supply Hard to expand in vitro | Relative mature liver function Preferred differentiation into hepatocytes |
In vitro | EPCs HLCs | Absence of a standard preparation protocol Variations between batches Limited quantity | No ethical concern Hepatocyte-like properties |