Regenerative potential of human pluripotent stem cell-derived MSCs in a Gunn rat liver injury model

The Crigler-Najjar syndrome type 1 is characterized by massively increased levels of unconjugated bilirubin in the plasma because of the lacking of hepatic uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase activity (due to a mutated UGT1A1 gene) which is crucial for bilirubin conjugation and excretion. The Gunn rat is an in vivo model for this disease. Current treatments have several limitations therefore alternative therapy strategies like (stem) cell transplantations are needed. Transplantation of primary hepatocytes is limited due to the dependence on donated organs. An alternative approach would be the increment…