Illustration of liver regeneration with glowing stem cells

Fountain of Youth? Infant Cells Show Promise in Liver Disease Treatment

Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Research highlights how younger cells could revolutionize therapies for end-stage liver disease, offering a new path for regenerative medicine."

End-stage liver disease (ESLD) poses a significant threat, often requiring liver transplantation as the only viable option. However, the shortage of donor organs and potential complications associated with transplantation have spurred the search for alternative treatments. Cell-based therapies, particularly those involving mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), have emerged as a promising avenue.

MSCs, known for their multilineage potential and immunoregulatory properties, can be derived from various sources, including bone marrow and adipose tissue. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are especially attractive due to their abundance and ease of accessibility. Recent studies suggest that ADSCs can enhance liver regeneration and improve outcomes in patients with ESLD.

A groundbreaking study, published in "Molecular Medicine Reports," delves into how the age of the cell donor affects the biological and functional characteristics of ADSCs. Researchers compared ADSCs from infants, adults, and elderly patients with benign ESLD to determine if age plays a role in the cells' regenerative capabilities. This research has significant implications for autologous cell therapy, potentially maximizing its effectiveness by considering the age of the cell source.

Infant Cells: A Regenerative Powerhouse

Illustration of liver regeneration with glowing stem cells

The study revealed that ADSCs from infants exhibit superior proliferation and migration capabilities compared to ADSCs from adults and elderly individuals. This means infant cells can multiply faster and more efficiently move to the site of damage, which is crucial for effective tissue repair. While all ADSC samples displayed typical MSC characteristics (CD90+/CD73+/CD105+ and CD45-/CD34-), the functional differences were striking.

Furthermore, infant-derived ADSCs showed a greater proclivity for osteogenic differentiation—the ability to form bone tissue—compared to their adult and elderly counterparts. This enhanced differentiation potential indicates a heightened capacity for tissue regeneration. The study also assessed the immunomodulatory properties of ADSCs by examining their ability to suppress T-cell proliferation, a key factor in controlling inflammation and promoting tissue repair.

The key findings include:

Infant ADSCs proliferate and migrate more effectively.
They exhibit a higher capacity for osteogenic differentiation.
Infant ADSCs more effectively suppress T-cell proliferation.
They enhance the proportion of regulatory T cells (Tregs).

The results demonstrated that infant ADSCs were significantly more effective at suppressing T-cell proliferation, downregulating the secretion of interferon-γ (a pro-inflammatory cytokine), and increasing the percentage of regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are vital for maintaining immune homeostasis. These findings suggest that ADSCs from younger donors possess superior immunomodulatory capabilities, potentially leading to more effective therapies for ESLD.

Implications and Future Directions

This study underscores the importance of considering donor age in cell-based therapies for ESLD. The superior regenerative and immunomodulatory properties of infant-derived ADSCs suggest that they may offer a more effective therapeutic option. While further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms underlying these age-related differences and to translate these findings into clinical applications, this study provides a compelling rationale for exploring the potential of younger cells in regenerative medicine. Future studies could focus on optimizing the isolation, expansion, and delivery of infant-derived ADSCs, as well as investigating their long-term safety and efficacy in clinical trials. Ultimately, harnessing the regenerative power of younger cells may revolutionize the treatment of ESLD and other chronic diseases.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6967, Alternate LINK

Title: Effects Of Age On Biological And Functional Characterization Of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells From Patients With End-Stage Liver Disease

Subject: Cancer Research

Journal: Molecular Medicine Reports

Publisher: Spandidos Publications

Authors: Yanyu Jin, Lei Yang, Yanyan Zhang, Wei Gao, Zhi Yao, Yang Song, Yuliang Wang

Published: 2017-03-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is end-stage liver disease (ESLD), and why are alternative treatments being explored?

End-stage liver disease, or ESLD, is a critical health condition where the liver's function deteriorates to a point that it can no longer effectively perform its vital functions. Often, the only viable treatment option for ESLD is a liver transplant. However, due to the scarcity of donor organs and the risks associated with transplantation, alternative treatments like cell-based therapies are being explored.

What are mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), and why are ADSCs considered promising for treating liver disease?

Mesenchymal stromal cells, or MSCs, are multipotent cells with immunoregulatory properties, meaning they can differentiate into various cell types and modulate the immune system. They can be sourced from different tissues, including bone marrow and adipose tissue. Adipose-derived stem cells, or ADSCs, are MSCs obtained from adipose tissue, and they are particularly appealing for therapeutic applications due to their abundance and ease of access. Their use can improve liver regeneration and outcomes for patients with ESLD.

How did the study compare adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) from different age groups to determine their regenerative capabilities?

The study compared adipose-derived stem cells, or ADSCs, from infants, adults, and elderly individuals with benign ESLD to assess how age affects the regenerative capabilities of these cells. The researchers examined the cells' proliferation and migration capabilities, their capacity for osteogenic differentiation (bone tissue formation), and their immunomodulatory properties, specifically their ability to suppress T-cell proliferation. The study also looked into the impact on regulatory T cells (Tregs) known for their vital role in maintaining immune homeostasis.

What key differences were observed between infant adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and ADSCs from adults and elderly individuals?

Infant adipose-derived stem cells, or ADSCs, demonstrated superior proliferation and migration capabilities compared to ADSCs from adults and elderly individuals. This means the infant cells multiplied faster and moved more efficiently to the site of damage. Infant-derived ADSCs also exhibited a greater capacity for osteogenic differentiation, indicating a heightened ability to form bone tissue. Additionally, the infant ADSCs were more effective at suppressing T-cell proliferation, downregulating the secretion of interferon-γ (a pro-inflammatory cytokine), and increasing the percentage of regulatory T cells (Tregs).

What are the implications of this study for cell-based therapies for end-stage liver disease (ESLD), and what future research directions are suggested?

The findings suggest that age plays a significant role in the effectiveness of adipose-derived stem cell, or ADSC, therapies for end-stage liver disease (ESLD). Because infant-derived ADSCs possess superior regenerative and immunomodulatory properties, they could potentially offer a more effective therapeutic option. Future research could focus on optimizing the isolation, expansion, and delivery of infant-derived ADSCs, as well as assessing their long-term safety and efficacy in clinical trials. This could revolutionize the treatment of ESLD and other chronic diseases. However, the ethical considerations of using infant cells for therapies, and how to scale up production and guarantee quality, remain to be addressed.