Anti‐fibrotic effect of chorionic plate‐derived mesenchymal stem cells isolated from human placenta in a rat model of CCl 4 ‐injured liver: Potential application to the treatment of hepatic diseases

Translational studies have explored the therapeutic effects of stem cells, raising hopes for the treatment of numerous diseases. Here, we evaluated the therapeutic effect of chorionic plate‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (CP‐MSCs) isolated from human placenta and transplanted into rats with carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )‐injured livers. CP‐MSCs were analyzed for hepatocyte‐specific gene expression, indocyanine green (ICG) uptake, glycogen storage, and urea production following hepatogenic differentiation. PKH26‐labeled CP‐MSCs were directly transplanted into the livers of rats that had been exposed to CCl 4 (1.6 g/kg, twice per week for 9 weeks). Blood and liver tissue were analyzed at 1, 2, and 3 weeks post‐transplantation. The expression of type I collagen (Col I) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) was analyzed in rat T‐HSC/Cl‐6 hepatic stellate cells co‐cultured with CP‐MSCs following exposure to TGF‐β. The expression levels of α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) and Col I were lower in transplanted (TP) rats than in non‐transplanted (Non‐TP) animals ( P