Objective     To investigate the feasibility of bone marrow derived stem cells (bone marrow stem cells

BMSCs) differentiate into hepatocytes in vivo

in order to provide the theoretical basis for BMSCs participating in the repair of injuring liver.     Methods    After 30 female C57BL/6 mice received a whole body radiation of 10 Gy

60

Co

they were given bone marrow transplantation

from the same strain male mice immediately. In 21 d after transplantation

these female mice received an intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl

4

) to induce liver injury. Then their livers were removed for double fluorescence labeling of Y chromosome by FISH and albumin (ALB) by immunofluorescence at the 2nd

3rd

4th

7th

14th

21st and 28th d after CCl

4

injection

which will indicate whether the BMSCs were differentiated to hepatocytes. Meanwhile

the liver content of several associated factors

such as stromal cell-derived factor1 (SDF-1) and its receptor CXCR-4

hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and stem cell factor (SCF) were also detected by ELISA.     Results     Double positive cells

which co-expressed Y chromosome by FISH and Alb by immunofluorescence

were found from 2 to 28 d after after CCl

4

injury at a positive rate of 3.763% to 5.578%. Meanwhile

ELISA indicated that the liver contents of SDF-1

CXCR-4

SCF and HGF were increased gradually after injury with CCl

4

and reached the peak at the 21st day after CCl

4

injury (P0.05

compared with those at other time points)

which was consistent with the counting of double positive cells by FISH and immunofluorescence.     Conclusion     BMSCs may directly differentiate to live cells in vivo and/or indirectly promote original liver stem cells proliferation and differentiation by secreting cellular factors

and thus be involved in the repair of injuring liver. These results provide the evidence for BMSCs in the treatment of end stage liver disease.