Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Neurological Disorders

Advanced Science, 2021 · DOI: 10.1002/advs.202002944 · Published: February 24, 2021

Simple Explanation

Neurological disorders pose a growing challenge with the aging population. Stem cell-based regenerative medicine offers a promising therapeutic avenue, with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) being a primary focus due to their unique properties. MSCs have been extensively studied for their ability to modulate the immune system and promote tissue repair. Researchers are exploring methods to engineer and deliver MSCs to the brain to treat various neurological diseases. The review focuses on MSC application in neurological diseases and stem cell delivery to the brain, emphasizing cell engineering to enhance MSC diapedesis, migration, and homing, ultimately aiming for precision medicine in stem cell-based therapies.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

125 clinical trials applying MSCs to treat neurological diseases have been registered.

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
MSCs exhibit anti-inflammatory activity, disease symptom amelioration, lesion reduction, and cellular death reduction/neuroprotection in various CNS diseases.
2
MSCs promote angiogenesis and vasculogenesis by increasing blood vessel density and releasing different growth factors, protecting injured cerebral microvasculature against ischemic–reperfusion injury.
3
MSC transplantation enhances neural tissue repair by stimulating neurogenesis, angiogenesis, maturation of newborn neurons, neuroprotection, and modulation of inflammatory processes in the injured brain.

Research Summary

Experimental studies and initial clinical trials suggest MSC transplantation has positive therapeutic effects in CNS diseases, appearing safe without undesirable side effects. MSCs are actively mobilized to damaged tissues, though the precise mechanism remains unclear. Colonization of tissue damage regions by systemically administered MSCs is less efficient than in leukocytes, potentially due to a lack of chemokine receptors and adhesion proteins. Inducing CNS colonization by transplanted cells is challenging due to the BBB. Developing methods to enhance targeted migration of systemically administered cells to the brain is crucial for increasing the effectiveness of MSC therapies in neurodegenerative diseases.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

MSCs offer a potential therapeutic approach for various neurological disorders by modulating inflammation, promoting neuroprotection, and stimulating tissue repair.

Delivery Strategies

Improving MSC delivery methods to the brain, including cell engineering and targeting strategies, is critical for enhancing therapeutic efficacy.

Clinical Translation

Further research is needed to optimize MSC transplantation protocols and translate preclinical findings into effective clinical therapies for neurological diseases.

Study Limitations

1
The mechanism responsible for MSC mobilization to damaged tissues has not yet been discovered.
2
Colonization of tissue damage regions by systemically administered cells is much less efficient in MSCs than in leukocytes
3
An incredibly difficult task is to induce the colonization of CNS structures by transplanted cells due to the BBB.

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