Mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate experimental autoimmune hepatitis by activation of the programmed death 1 pathway

•The administration of culture-expanded bone mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) was effective to the experimental autoimmune hepatitis (EAH).•Multiple dosing administration was more effective than single-dose administration.•The mRNA and protein expression of PD-L1 in the mouse liver were increased in the model group and MSCs treatment groups.•The expression of IL-17 was down-regulated by BMSCs intervention as compared to the model group.