Evidence mapPaperPMID 42216085Full record

ReviewStem cell research & therapy2026

Mesenchymal stem cells and extracellular vesicles for MAFLD: from biological mechanisms to translational prospects.

Zhennan Huang, Yiheng Pan, Naishun Liao, Fan Pan

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Stem cell research & therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Zhennan HuangDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fuzong Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350025, P. R. China.
Yiheng PanDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fuzong Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350025, P. R. China.
Naishun LiaoThe United Innovation of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Technology Key Laboratory of Fujian Province, Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350025, P. R. China. liaons046@163.com.
Fan PanDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Fuzong Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350025, P. R. China. pdsg@163.com.

Funding

Fujian Province Joint Funds for the Innovation of Science and Technology 2025Y9481Fujian Young Healthcare Talent Development Program 2025GGA083Fuzhou Sci-Tech Talent Cultivation Project 2025R012the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian 2024J011163the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian 2024J011219
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a prevalent metabolic disorder that can progress from simple steatosis to chronic inflammation and fibrosis. Currently, pharmacological agents for MAFLD remain limited, and lifestyle-based management often fails to halt disease progression, underscoring the need for multitarget therapeutic strategies. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a promising regenerative and immunomodulatory therapy capable of reprogramming the hepatic inflammatory microenvironment, improving metabolic homeostasis, and limiting fibrogenesis. Increasing evidence indicates that MSC efficacy is largely mediated through paracrine mechanisms, with MSC-derived small extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) acting as key effectors by delivering functional cargos, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and proteins. MSC-EVs attenuate inflammation via inflammasome inhibition and macrophage polarization, restore insulin sensitivity and lipid handling through AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-associated metabolic signaling, and also limit fibrogenesis by suppressing hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation as part of their integrated multitarget actions. This review integrates current insights into MAFLD pathogenesis and the therapeutic mechanisms of MSCs and MSC-EVs, and highlights translational priorities for their clinical development.

Indexed as

Extracellular VesiclesMesenchymal Stem CellsMesenchymal Stem Cell TransplantationNon-alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseAMP-Activated Protein KinasesAnimalsHepatic Stellate CellsHumansMicroRNAsAMP-Activated Protein KinasesMicroRNAsExosomesExtracellular vesiclesLiver diseaseMesenchymal stem cellsMetabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD)

Identifiers

PMID42216085
PMCPMC13439849

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.