Terapia con células madre: A Novel Approach for Viral Liver Infections
Viral liver infections pose a significant global health burden, leading to chronic liver disease, cirrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite advances in antiviral therapies, there remains a need for novel therapeutic strategies to address the unmet medical needs of patients with viral liver infections. Terapia con células madre has emerged as a promising approach, offering the potential for liver regeneration, immune modulation, and viral clearance.
Pathogenesis of Viral Liver Infections and Stem Cell Potential
Viral liver infections, such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), cause liver damage through various mechanisms, including hepatocyte apoptosis, immune-mediated cytotoxicity, and fibrosis. Células madre, including hepatic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) y células madre mesenquimales (MSC), possess the ability to differentiate into hepatocytes and other liver cell types, contributing to liver regeneration and repair.
Stem Cells in Liver Regeneration and Repair
HSPCs and MSCs play crucial roles in liver regeneration and repair following injury or disease. HSPCs can differentiate into hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, and oval cells, replenishing the damaged liver parenchyma. MSC, por otro lado, secrete paracrine factors that promote hepatocyte proliferation, reducir la inflamación, and stimulate angiogenesis.
Preclinical Studies of Stem Cell Therapy in Viral Liver Diseases
Preclinical studies in animal models of viral liver diseases have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of terapia con células madre. Transplantation of HSPCs or MSCs has been shown to improve liver function, reducir la inflamación, and inhibit viral replication. These studies provide a strong rationale for further investigation of terapia con células madre in clinical settings.
