The therapeutic potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells on hepatocellular carcinoma.

BAYO J; MARRODAN M; AQUINO JB; SILVA M; GARCIA MG; MAZZOLINI G

LIVER INTERNATIONAL

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2013

1478-3223

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are more often obtained from adult and extraembryonic tissues, with the latter sources being likely better from a therapeutic perspective. MSCs show tropism towards inflamed or tumorigenic sites. Mechanisms involved in MSCs recruitment into tumors are comprehensively analyzed, including chemoattractant signaling axes, endothelial adhesion and transmigration. In addition, signals derived from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor microenvironment and their influence in MSCs tropism and tumor recruitment are dissected, as well as the present controversy regarding their influence on tumor growth and/or metastasis. Finally, evidences available on the use of MSCs and other selected progenitor/stem cells as vehicles of anti-tumorigenic genes are discussed. A better knowledge of the mechanisms involved in progenitor/stem cell recruitment to HCC tumors is proposed in order to enhance their tumor targeting which may result in improvements in cell-based gene therapy strategies.