title: A discussion on adult mesenchymal stem cells for drug delivery: pros and cons.
abstract: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are emerging as candidates for drug delivery to treat numerous diseases. Their ease of isolation, expansion and reduced ethical concern, coupled with their 'plastic' immune functions and homing abilities make MSCs an appealing choice as cellular vehicle for drug delivery, including the delivery of RNA. However, while MSCs are currently listed for thousands of clinical trials, there are many confounding factors that have yet to be elucidated. In this review, we address many of the benefits of MSCs as therapeutic agents, and discuss confounding factors that require further scientific exploration.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.|Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.|Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic & Reconstruction, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Condé-Green
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
authors.forename: Oleta A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Sandiford
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.|Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
authors.forename: Pranela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rameshwar
mesh_terms: D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D035683:MicroRNAs; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand