The potential of mesenchymal stromal cells as a novel cellular therapy for multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory neurodegenerative disease of the CNS for which only partially effective therapies exist. Intense research defining the underlying immune pathophysiology is advancing both the understanding of MS as well as revealing potential targets for disease intervention. Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy has the potential to modulate aberrant immune responses causing demyelination and axonal injury associated with MS, as well as to repair and restore damaged CNS tissue and cells. This article reviews the pathophysiology underlying MS, as well as providing a cutting-edge perspective into the field of MSC therapy based upon the experience of authors intrinsically involved in MS and MSC basic and translational science research.
National Center for Regenerative Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. jeffery.auletta@case.edu
Jeffery J
JJ
Auletta
Amelia M
AM
Bartholomew
Richard T
RT
Maziarz
Robert J
RJ
Deans
Robert H
RH
Miller
Hillard M
HM
Lazarus
Jeffrey A
JA
Cohen
D000818:Animals; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012038:Regeneration; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical