Stem cell-based therapy for human diseases

Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, 2022 · DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01134-4 · Published: July 21, 2022

Simple Explanation

Recent advancements in stem cell technology open a new door for patients suffering from diseases and disorders that have yet to be treated. Stem cell-based therapy, including human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), has recently emerged as a key player in regenerative medicine. hPSCs are deﬁned as self-renewable cell types conferring the ability to differentiate into various cellular phenotypes of the human body, including three germ layers. MSCs are multipotent progenitor cells possessing self-renewal ability (limited in vitro) and differentiation potential into mesenchymal lineages, according to the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT).

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Review Article

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
BM-MSCs are potentially good candidates for brain and spinal cord injury treatment.
2
AT-MSCs are potentially good candidates for reproductive disorder treatment and skin regeneration.
3
UC-MSCs are potentially good candidates for pulmonary disease and acute respiratory distress syndrome treatment.

Research Summary

This review provides an update on recent clinical applications using either hPSCs or MSCs derived from bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue (AT), or the umbilical cord (UC) for the treatment of human diseases, including neurological disorders, pulmonary dysfunctions, metabolic/endocrine-related diseases, reproductive disorders, skin burns, and cardiovascular conditions. Moreover, we discuss our own clinical trial experiences on targeted therapies using MSCs in a clinical setting, and we propose and discuss the MSC tissue origin concept and how MSC origin may contribute to the role of MSCs in downstream applications, with the ultimate objective of facilitating translational research in regenerative medicine into clinical applications. The mechanisms discussed here support the proposed hypothesis that BM-MSCs are potentially good candidates for brain and spinal cord injury treatment, AT-MSCs are potentially good candidates for reproductive disorder treatment and skin regeneration, and UC-MSCs are potentially good candidates for pulmonary disease and acute respiratory distress syndrome treatment.

Practical Implications

Targeted MSC therapy

Matching MSC tissue source to the application to improve treatment outcomes.

Further research

Encouraging research on the impact of MSC sources on downstream applications.

Development of priming protocols

Priming MSCs to enhance their therapeutic activities for specific conditions.

Study Limitations

1
Research bias in hypothesis formulation.
2
Limited clinical trials directly comparing MSC sources.
3
Incomplete knowledge coverage of all MSC-treatable diseases.

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