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Review
. 2022 Feb 17;3(1):6.
doi: 10.1186/s43556-021-00067-8.

Stem cell therapy for COVID-19 pneumonia

Maziar Malekzadeh Kebria  1   2 , Peiman Brouki Milan  3   4 , Noshad Peyravian  1   2 , Jafar Kiani  5   6 , Soheil Khatibi  7 , Masoud Mozafari  8
Affiliations
Review

Stem cell therapy for COVID-19 pneumonia

Maziar Malekzadeh Kebria et al. Mol Biomed. .

Abstract

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus is a highly contagious microorganism, and despite substantial investigation, no progress has been achieved in treating post-COVID complications. However, the virus has made various mutations and has spread around the world. Researchers have tried different treatments to reduce the side effects of the COVID-19 symptoms. One of the most common and effective treatments now used is steroid therapy to reduce the complications of this disease. Long-term steroid therapy for chronic inflammation following COVID-19 is harmful and increases the risk of secondary infection, and effective treatment remains challenging owing to fibrosis and severe inflammation and infection. Sometimes our immune system can severely damage ourselves in disease. In the past, many researchers have conducted various studies on the immunomodulatory properties of stem cells. This property of stem cells led them to modulate the immune system of autoimmune diseases like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's. Because of their immunomodulatory properties, stem cell-based therapy employing mesenchymal or hematopoietic stem cells may be a viable alternative treatment option in some patients. By priming the immune system and providing cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, stem cells can be employed to build a long-term regenerative and protective response. This review addresses the latest trends and rapid progress in stem cell treatment for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) following COVID-19.

Keywords: Acute respiratory distress syndrome; COVID-19; Coronavirus; Stem cells; Tissue regeneration.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Coronavirus structure. In this structure, surface proteins (The spike protein (S-Protein), Envelope Protein (EV-Protein) and Membrane Protein (M-Protein), nucleotides and crowns of this virus are shown. The corona crown gives this type of virus a unique structure that distinguishes it from other viruses
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The effect of Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on a variety of lung diseases. These cells have the ability to regenerate damaged alveoli and fibrosis due to their regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), PAH (Pulmonary arterial hypertension), ARDS (Acute respiratory distress syndrome), BPD (Bronchopulmonary dysplasia) and IPF (Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Effects of Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) injection on the patient’s lung. Injection of this cell reduces the secretion of interleukins 10, 12 and MCP-1. Reducing the secretion of these inflammatory factors prevents lung and respiratory diseases such as COVID-19
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Effect of Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on dendritic cell, B cell, T cell and Neutrophil. Mesenchymal stem cells with the effect of interleukin 6,8, LIF and PGE2 reduce cell secretion and increase the activity of dendritic cells
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
COVID-19 deficiency can lead to significant inflammatory-mediated consequences, such as ARDS. In these people’s lungs, immune cells such as macrophages and neutrophils are activated, pro-inflammatory cytokines [IL-6, TNF-] are produced, and endothelial cells are damaged. MSCs might be functional in this situation since they have immunomodulatory, regenerative and antibacterial effects
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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