Current Status of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells for Treatment of Neurological Diseases

Abstract

Neurological disorders include a wide spectrum of clinical conditions affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems. For these conditions, which affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, generally limited or no treatments are available, and cell-based therapies have been intensively investigated in preclinical and clinical studies. Among the available cell types, mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have been widely studied but as yet no cell-based treatment exists for neurological disease. We review current knowledge of the therapeutic potential of MSC-based therapies for neurological diseases, as well as possible mechanisms of action that may be explored to hasten the development of new and effective treatments. We also discuss the challenges for culture conditions, quality control, and the development of potency tests, aiming to generate more efficient cell therapy products for neurological disorders.

Keywords: cell therapy; extracellular vesicles; mesenchymal stem cells; neurological diseases; neuroprotection; regenerative medicine.

Figure 1

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for neurological diseases. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) can be isolated from several adult and perinatal tissues, including bone marrow, umbilical cord, and adipose tissue. MSC neuroprotective actions are based on their paracrine action through secretion of cytokines, trophic factors, and microRNAs, among other molecules, which are released directly into the extracellular space or packaged in microvesicles and exosomes. MSC efficacy can be improved in vitro prior to transplantation, by different preconditioning methods and/or genetic engineering to increase the production or release of specific factors.