Liver fibrosis results from
collagen fiber deposition. Antler stem cells (ASCs) naturally in vivo differentiate into cartilage, which is only made of Col II in
collagen component; whereas
liver fibrosis is caused by over-abundance of Col I and III. In addition, ASCs can effectively promote regenerative wound healing in which tissue contains very few
collagen fibers (Col I). In this study, we investigate the
therapeutic effects of ASCs in a rat model of CCl4-induced
liver fibrosis. Rats were treated with ASCs for 4 weeks in vivo, then biochemical and histopathological analyses were performed. Furthermore, we established cell co-culture systems of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and ASCs and of M1 macrophages and ASCs in vitro. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were used as a positive control. The results showed that ASC
transplantation alleviated
liver fibrosis effectively as evidenced by reduced
collagen accumulation, decreased fatty degeneration, increased hepatocyte regeneration, decreased
inflammation and significantly enhanced liver function; moreover, ASCs decreased the expression of pro-fibrogenic factors including TGF-β and α-SMA. Additionally, our study showed that ASCs inhibit HSC activation and proliferation by controlling the expression of
MMPs, TIMP1, TGF-β, α-SMA and
COL1A2 involved in these processes. Our results suggested that ASCs alleviate
liver fibrosis effectively and inhibit HSC activation. Thus, ASCs may serve as a novel stem cell source for the treatment of
liver fibrosis in the clinic.