Role of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Regenerative Therapy

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells which can proliferate and replace dead cells in the body. MSCs also secrete immunomodulatory molecules, creating a regenerative microenvironment that has an excellent potential for tissue regeneration. MSCs can be easily isolated and grown in vitro for various applications. For the past two decades, MSCs have been used in research, and many assays and tests have been developed proving that MSCs are an excellent cell source for therapy. This review focusses on quality control parameters required for applications of MSCs including colony formation, surface markers, differentiation potentials, and telomere length. Further, the specific mechanisms of action of MSCs under various conditions such as trans-differentiation, cell fusion, mitochondrial transfer, and secretion of extracellular vesicles are discussed. This review aims to underline the applications and benefits of MSCs in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.

Keywords: differentiation; mesenchymal stem cells; regenerative therapy; tissue engineering.

Figure 1

Various therapies employed in regenerative medicine. Currently, therapies utilizing various stem cells, platelet rich plasma, lipogems (adipose tissue), and prolotherapy (using an irritant such as dextrose) have been employed to regenerate or replace damaged cells or tissues.

Figure 2

Fusion of mesenchymal stem cells with non-stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells interact with neighboring cells to form a multicellular aggregate with improved characteristics, and these fused cells can be used for treatment of neurodegenerative or gastrointestinal disorders.

Figure 3

Mitochondrial transfer and repair of damaged cells. MSCs can transfer healthy mitochondria to the injured neighboring cells with dysfunctional mitochondria. This characteristic feature of MSCs help to regenerate several tissues including lung, heart, kidney, and brain.

Figure 4

Design and generation of various tissues or organs using 3D-Bioprinting Technology. Bioprinting technology facilitates the fabrication of bioconstructs utilizing MSCs and other biomaterials in a hierarchical manner to produce various tissues or organs, which can be used for regenerative therapy.

Figure 5

Types of manufacturing process in organoid technology. Organoid technology is the in vitro development of a three-dimensional structure to mimic the original architecture of tissues and organs, using various stem cells. Three different categories of additive manufacturing processes employed in organoid technology are stereolithography, fused deposition manufacturing, and selective laser sintering.

Figure 6

Tri-lineage differentiation capabilities of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Ability of iPSCs to differentiate into three germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm) in types of cells such as (a) neurons, (b) epithelial cells, (c) adipocytes, (d) osteocytes, (e) cardiomyocytes, (f) gut epithelium, (g) lung cells, and (h) hepatocytes.