Mesenchymal Stem Cells (continued)
6. Cartilage and Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Articular cartilage (in joints) has a limited capacity to repair after injury. Early intervention is needed to prevent bone and cartilage defects and degeneration. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells is a promising strategy since MSCs have the potential to differentiate into chondrocytes - cartilage-producing cells.
Bornes TD, Adesida AB, Jomha NM. Mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of traumatic articular cartilage defects: a comprehensive review. Arthritis Res Ther 2014;16(5):432. on-line reference
b. Tendon Repair
Tendon tissue shows limited regeneration potential with the formation of scar tissue. The combination of platelet rich plasma (from the patient's blood) and mesenchymal stem cells is suggested as a promising alternative for tendon remodeling.
Guevara-Alvarez A, Schmitt A, Russell RP, Imhoff AB, Buchmann S. Growth factor delivery vehicles for tendon injuries: Mesenchymal stem cells and Platelet Rich Plasma. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J 2014;4(3):378-85.on-line reference
7. Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 and Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Diabetes mellitus type 1 results from the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. The implantation of mesenchymal stem cells decreases glucose levels through angiogenic and immunomodulatory effects to control diabetes following the cotransplantation of pancreatic islets.
Katuchova J, Harvanova D, Spakova T, Kalanin R, Farkas D, Durny P, Rosocha J, Radonak J, Petrovic D, Soniscalco D, Qi M, Novak M, Kruzliak P. Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Endocr Pathol 2015 Mar 12 [Epub ahead of print] on-line reference
8. Epilepsy and Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Early intervention with either mononuclear cells or mesenchymal stem cells is recommended to reduce the potential for chronic epilepsy and the spontaneous seizures and cognitive dysfunction that can follow. The use of these cells can reduce neurodegeneration, inflammation, and increase the threshold for seizure activity.
Agadi S, Shetty AK. Prospects of Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treating Status Epilepticus and Chronic Epilepsy. Stem Cells 2015 Apr 7 [Epub ahead of print] on-line reference
9. Eye disorders and stem cells
The authors conclude that embryonic stem cell induced pluripotent stem cells have the ability to replace lost retinal cells, mesenchymal stem cells protect the retinal ganglion cells and stimulate axonal regeneration in the optic nerve in degenerative eye diseases and neural stem cells may be able to replace the retinal cells and work with cell-hormone balance.
Mead B, Berry M, Logan A, Scott RA, Leadbeater W, Scheven BA. Stem cell Treatment of degenerative eye disease. Stem Cell Res 2015;14(3):243-257. on-line reference
10. The GI Tract and Mesenchymal Stem Cells
The use of repeated administrations of mesenchymal stromal (stem) cells (isolated from bone marrow, adipose tissue or human umbilical cord) is a safe and feasible treatment for Crohn's disease. Several clinical trials are underway to determine its effectiveness.
Liew A, O'Brien T, Egan L. Mesenchymal stromal cell therapy for Crohn's disease. Dig Dis 2014;32 Suppl 1:50-60. on-line reference
11. The Kidneys and Mesenchymal Stem Cells
During fetal development, mesenchymal stromal/stem cells contribute to kidney differentiation. In the adult, different compartments of the human and animal kidney have a population of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells that may provide kidney repair when tissue is injured.
Bruno S, Chiabotto G, Camussi G. Concise review: different mesenchymal stromal/stem cell populations reside in the adult kidney. Stem Cells Transl Med 2014;3(12):1451-5. on-line reference
12. The Liver and Mesenchymal stem cells
Mesenchymal stem cells are able to transdifferentiate into hepatocytes (liver cells) which makes them a promising treatment for liver diseases and injuries. These stem cells are also able to secrete growth factors that promote liver regeneration.
Liu WH, Song FQ, Ren LN, Guo WQ, Wang T, Feng YX, Tang LJ, Li K. The multiple functional roles of mesenchymal stem cells in participating in treating liver diseases. J Cell Mol Med 2015;19(3):511-20. on-line reference
13. The Lungs and COPD
COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a leading cause of illness and death throughout the world. Smoking is a major risk factor that promotes inflammation, cell programmed death (apoptosis) and oxidative stress. Mesenchymal stem cells have potential for treating a number of lung diseases.
Jin Z, Pan X, Zhou K, Bi H, Wang L, Yu L, Wang Q. Biological effects and mechanisms of action of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J Int Med Res 2015 Apr 1 [Epub ahead of print] on-line reference
b. Preterm children and Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Low birth weight preterm babies often have bronchopulmonary dysplasia with long-term complications. Mesenchymal stem cells are found more often in pre-term than term umbilical cord and its isolation from Wharton's jelly has potential for treating diseases of prematurity.
Pawelec K, Gladysz D, Demkow U, Boruczkowski D. Stem cell experiments move into clinic: new hope for children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Adv Exp Med Biol 2015;839:47-53. on-line reference
14. Neurological Treatments and Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Schwann Cells
Nerves have rapid communication because of their myelin sheaths. The myelin sheaths are made of Schwann cells that sustain the axons and their nerve fibers. (The axons carry information from the neuron and dendrites carry information to the neuron). When the peripheral and central nervous systems are injured, the Schwann cells contribute factors that promote axonal regrowth and remyelination. If there is a deficiency of Schwann cells, they do not double themselves very quickly and other stem cells are needed. Mesenchymal stem cells are produced by the bone marrow, umbilical cord and adipose tissue. With cytokine stimulation, mesenchymal stem cells are able to differentiate into Schwann Cells.
Wakao S, Matsuse D Dezawa M. Mesenchymal Stem Cells as a Dource of Schwann Cells: Their Anticipated Use in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration. Cells Tissues Organs 2015 Mar 4 [Epub ahead of print] on-line reference
b. Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Neonatal Treatments
While a number of neonatal complications have short-term effects, a few have long-term consequences. These complications include bronchopulmonary dysplasia and necrotizing enterocolitis in premature neonates and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in borderline preterm and term neonates. A promising approach is to use stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cells. The authors give examples from human clinical trials.
Gheorghe CP, Bhandari V. Stem Cell Therapy in Neonatal Diseases. Indian J Pediatr 2015 [Epub ahead of print] on-line reference
c. Preterm Infants and Hemorrhage
Severe intraventricular hemorrhaging in premature infants and the subsequent post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) causes significant mortality and life-long neurological complications that include seizures, cerebral palsy, and developmental retardation. Mesenchymal stem cells have potent immunomodulating abilities in various brain injury models. In a newborn rat study, a mesenchymal stem cell treatment downregulated inflammatory cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluid and reduced the progressive PHH. The stem cells also reduced the brain damage that follows hemorrhage and PHH, including reactive gliosis, cell death, delayed myelination, and behavioral dysfunction. The use of MSCs are promising therapies for neuroprotection in preterm infants with intraventricular hemorrhaging.
Ahn SY, Chang YS, Park WS. Mesenchymal stem cells transplantation for neuroprotection in preterm infants with severe intraventricular hemorrhage. Korean J Pediatr 2014;57(6):251-6. on-line reference
