Human CD34+ cells mobilized by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor ameliorate radiation-induced liver damage in mice

Abstract Introduction On the basis of the recently recognized potential of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to give rise to hepatocytes, we have assessed the potential of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized bone marrow-derived CD34+ HSCs to contribute to faster recovery and promote regeneration process after acute liver injury by radiation. Methods G-CSF-mobilized CD34+ HSCs (1 × 105 cells per mouse) were injected via tail vein in the irradiated femal nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice. Irradiated control animals received only saline infusion. Results The mobilized CD34+ HSCs significantly ameliorated radiation-induced liver damage. In the liver of recipient mice killed 21 days after irradiation, human albumin+ Y-chromosome+ hepatocyte-like cells, or human cytokeratin+ Y-chromosome+ hepatocyte-like cells formed cords of hepatocytes, occupied ~30% of the 4-μm section surrounding portal tracts. Furthermore, human-specific albumin mRNA expressed in the liver and human albumin was detected in the serum only in the CD34+ HSC-treated mice. Conclusions Treatment with G-CSF-mobilized CD34+ HSCs from bone marrow into peripheral blood could significantly promote tissue reparation after acute liver injury by radiation in mice, possibly by the ability of CD34+ HSCs to generate hepatocytes. So mobilization of CD34+ HSCs might offer a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of radiation-induced complications after radiotherapy or other acute liver diseases in humans.