MSCs: Biological characteristics, clinical applications and their outstanding concerns.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multi-potent adult stem cells harboring multi-lineage differentiation potential and immunosuppressive properties that make MSCs an ideal candidate cell type for immunomodulation and regenerative medicine. Currently, MSC-related researches and clinical trials have evoked exciting promise in a variety of disorders and tissue regeneration. However, it must be recognized that several critical potential problems have also emerged from current clinical trials, for example: (1) the indefinite association between the phenotypic characteristics and the biological functions of MSCs; (2) the lack of clinical data to support the long-term safety of MSCs; (3) the need for further clarification of multiple mechanisms of MSC transplant actions in vivo; and (4) the lack of comparability of MSC transplant efficacy. Therefore, MSC-based therapies could not yet be considered a routine treatment in the clinic. Based on these, we proposed that large-scale and multi-center clinical trials of MSC-based therapies should be initiated under strict supervision. These interventions might help to establish a new clinical paradigm to turn MSC transplantation into a routine therapy for at least some diseases in the near future.
Si
Yi-Ling
YL
Institute of Basic Medicine Science, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing 100853, China.
Zhao
Ya-Li
YL
Hao
Hao-Jie
HJ
Fu
Xiao-Bing
XB
Han
Wei-Dong
WD
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000639:trends*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D007155:Immunologic Factors