Raw data for the article: Human Amnion-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Cirrhotic Patients with Refractory Ascites: A Possible Anti-Inflammatory Therapy for Preventing Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis

Cirrhosis is associated with dysregulated immune cell activation and immune dysfunction. These conditions modify gut flora, facilitate bacterial translocation, and increase susceptibility to bacterial peritonitis and consequent systemic infections by dramatically affecting long-term patient survival. Human amnion-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hA-MSCs) exert immunomodulatory potential benefit, and have the ability to modulate their actions, especially in situations requiring immune activation through mechanisms not fully understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate, in vitro, the immunostimulant or immunosuppressive effects of hA-MSCs on cellular components of ascitic fluid obtained from cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites. We found that hA-MSCs viability is not affected by ascitic fluid and, interestingly, hA-MSCs diminished the pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and promoted anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage polarization. Moreover, we found that there was no simultaneous significant decrease in the M1-like component, allowing a continual phagocytosis activity of macrophages and NK cells to restore a physiological condition. These data highlight the plasticity of hA-MSCs' immunomodulatory capacity, and pave the way to further understanding their role in conditions such as spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.肝硬化与免疫细胞活化失调及免疫功能紊乱密切相关。此类异常可改变肠道菌群结构、促进细菌易位，并大幅影响患者长期生存，进而增加细菌性腹膜炎及后续全身性感染的易感性。人羊膜来源间充质基质细胞（human amnion-derived mesenchymal stromal cells，hA-MSCs）具有免疫调节的潜在益处，且可调控自身功能行为，尤其在需要免疫活化的场景中，但其具体作用机制尚未完全阐明。本研究旨在体外探究hA-MSCs对难治性腹水肝硬化患者腹水中细胞组分的免疫刺激或免疫抑制效应。研究结果显示，腹水不会影响hA-MSCs的存活率；有趣的是，hA-MSCs可减少促炎细胞因子的产生，并促进抗炎型M2巨噬细胞极化。此外，本研究未观察到M1样巨噬细胞组分出现同步显著减少，这使得巨噬细胞与自然杀伤（NK）细胞能够维持持续的吞噬活性，从而助力恢复生理状态。上述数据凸显了hA-MSCs免疫调节能力的可塑性，为进一步阐明其在自发性细菌性腹膜炎等病症中的作用铺平了道路。