Tackling the physiological barriers for successful mesenchymal stem cell transplantation into the central nervous system.

Abstract

Over the past decade a lot of research has been performed towards the therapeutic use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases. MSCs have shown to be beneficial in different preclinical studies of central nervous system (CNS) disorders due to their immunomodulatory properties and their capacity to secrete various growth factors. Nevertheless, most of the transplanted cells die within the first hours after transplantation and induce a neuroinflammatory response. In order to increase the efficacy of MSC transplantation, it is thus imperative to completely characterise the mechanisms mediating neuroinflammation and cell death following MSC transplantation into the CNS. Consequently, different components of these cell death- and neuroinflammation-inducing pathways can be targeted in an attempt to improve the therapeutic potential of MSCs for CNS disorders.

• Authors: Nathalie De Vocht, Jelle Praet, Kristien Reekmans, Debbie Le Blon, Chloé Hoornaert, Jasmijn Daans, Zwi Berneman, Annemie Van der Linden, Peter Ponsaerts
• Journal: Stem cell research & therapy (Stem Cell Res Ther) Vol. 4 Issue 4 Pg. 101 (Aug 22 2013) ISSN: 1757-6512 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23998480 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Topics

• Central Nervous System
• Humans
• Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation (methods)
• Mesenchymal Stem Cells (pathology, physiology)