Mesenchymal stem cells as anti-inflammatories: implications for treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal X-linked musculodegenerative condition consisting of an underlying genetic defect whose manifestation is augmented by inflammatory mechanisms. Previous treatment approaches using gene replacement, exon-skipping or allogeneic cell therapy have been relatively unsuccessful. The only intervention to mediate improvement in survival, albeit minor, is glucocorticoid treatment. Given this modality appears to function via suppression of underlying inflammation; we focus this review on the inflammatory response as a target for mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy. In contrast to other cell based therapies attempted in DMD, MSC have the advantages of (a) ability to fuse with and genetically complement dystrophic muscle; (b) possess anti-inflammatory activities; and (c) produce trophic factors that may augment activity of endogenous repair cells. We conclude by describing one practical scenario of stem cell therapy for DMD.
Ichim
Thomas E
TE
Medistem Inc., San Diego, CA 92122, USA.
Alexandrescu
Doru T
DT
Solano
Fabio
F
Lara
Fabian
F
Campion
Rosalia De Necochea
Rde N
Paris
Eugenia
E
Woods
Erik J
EJ
Murphy
Michael P
MP
Dasanu
Constantin A
CA
Patel
Amit N
AN
Marleau
Annette M
AM
Leal
Alejandro
A
Riordan
Neil H
NH
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D020388:Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome