Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells in neurodegenerative disorders: from literature to clinical practice

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have provided a promising tool for cell therapy. Umbilical cord (UC) is one of the best sources of MSCs since its collection is noninvasive, and effortless, and the cells from this source are more capable and prolific. It has been proven that the differentiation, migration and protective properties of UC-MSCs are superior compared with other kinds of stem cells. Moreover, incurable neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and Huntington, encourage scientists to apply UC-MSCs transplantation in order to find a definite treatment. This review will focus on the preclinical and clinical use of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human umbilical cord in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Huntington disease; Parkinson’s disease; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; cerebral palsy; multiple sclerosis; neurodegenerative disease; spinal cord injury; stem cell therapies; umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.