Emerging insights into mesenchymal stem cells and exosome-based therapies for liver injury

Shaolong Yang; Juanyu Liu; Jia Siang Khe; Alvin Jiunn Hieng Lu; Vuanghao Lim

doi:10.17305/bb.2025.12144

Authors

Shaolong Yang Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia; School of Nursing, Zhengzhou Railway Vocational & Technical College, Pengcheng Avenue, Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2682-3737
Juanyu Liu Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1296-9873
Jia Siang Khe Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9689-1674
Alvin Jiunn Hieng Lu Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0262-0275
Vuanghao Lim Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bertam Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5081-0982

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17305/bb.2025.12144

Keywords:

Liver injury, mesenchymal stem cells, MSCs, exosomes, hepatic fibrosis

Abstract

Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury, fatty liver, liver fibrosis, liver peroxidative injury, and drug-induced liver injury are among the most common liver diseases. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess multi-lineage differentiation potential and immunomodulatory functions. In the treatment of liver injury, MSCs can promote repair through homing effects, direct differentiation into hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs), immunomodulation, and anti-fibrotic mechanisms. Clinically, MSCs contribute to liver injury repair either directly or indirectly via the secretion of exosomes. Beyond their reparative role, MSC-derived exosomes can also serve as molecular biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of liver diseases. Establishing higher-quality standards, robust auditing and evaluation systems, and conducting deeper mechanistic studies are essential prerequisites for the future clinical application of MSCs in the treatment of liver diseases.