Mesenchymal stem cells for regenerative medicine in central nervous system

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as promising candidates for central nervous system (CNS) regeneration due to their ability to modulate the immune system and promote tissue repair. These cells can potentially restore damaged neural circuits by encouraging immunomodulation, preventing cell death, and promoting axon re-extension. MSCs from different sources, such as bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue (AT), and umbilical cord blood (UCB), can be transplanted to treat CNS diseases. AT-MSCs produce a significantly larger amount of cytokines and growth factors than BM-MSCs, which mediate paracrine actions that promote cellular survival pathways and tissue-repair mechanisms. Transplantation of MSCs can regulate neuron growth and axon re-extension, thereby improving nervous system function after CNS injury or degeneration. MSCs can create a reparative environment in the nervous system. In animal models of SCI, stem cell-based regenerative approach has been demonstrated to elicit anatomical repair often accompanied by functional recovery

• 1
  MSCs exert immunomodulatory effects by secreting enzymes and soluble factors that act on various T lymphocytes, B cells, NK cells, and myeloid cells, disrupting their activation, proliferation, maturation, cytolytic activity, cytokine production, or antibody production.
• 2
  MSCs exhibit anti-apoptotic effects in the CNS by modulating neuronal and glial responses to apoptosis, suppressing oxidative stress, and increasing the expression of anti-apoptotic genes. Specific miRNAs play important roles in these MSCs mediated anti-apoptosis effects in brain.
• 3
  MSCs can help neurites overcome the inhibitory effects of molecules like Nogo-A, MAG, and CSPG, promoting axon re-extension and creating a favorable microenvironment for the re-establishment of functional local circuits through the release of growth factors.