Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent stem cells that could be gotten from the bone marrow, blood of the umbilical cord, fat tissues, and amniotic fluid. The term “multipotent” means that the mesenchymal cells are capable of differentiating into other forms of the cell. Mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into bone cells, adipose cells, muscle cells, skin and cartilage cells. Although they are multipotent ins nature, they are not capable of forming hematological cells. Research has shown that the mesenchymal stem cells might be able to form other types of cells apart from the cells of the skeletal tissues. The cells they might be able to form are cardiomyocytes, hepatocytes, and the inner wall of the blood vessels. However, further studies proved that there might have been an error in the earlier researches done. It was concluded that they could only produce various cells of skeletal tissues.

 

 

 

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Count

As earlier said, there are many ways to extract mesenchymal stem cells. They can be gotten from adipose tissue, bone marrow, and the umbilical cord. The stem cells acquired from these three sources have been compared, and according to studies, it was concluded that the stem cells from the adipose tissue were more suitable, as their mesenchymal stem cells have an enormous frequency. Also, it was realized that all the stem cells collected from the three sources have the same usual mesenchymal stem cell features. They had the typical characteristics, which include spindle shape, protein cell surface marker, and inherent multi-potency. Furthermore, the therapeutic properties of the stem cells from the 3 primary sources include anti-inflammation, and also paracrine features.

It was noticed that the stem cells from the umbilical cord blood could be cloned more, and they can be reproduced for longer duration in culture when compared to others. Mesenchymal stem cells obtained from the umbilical cord blood of a single donor would be enough to develop 1 × 109 cells within Passage 3–4 in a cell factory system. This makes them essential as models in allogeneic settings.

 

 

 

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy

 

The mesenchymal stem cell, just like the other forms of stem cell, is useful in the treatment of some diseases.

1. Skeletal diseases: Since the mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into many cells of the skeletal tissues, they’ve become an essential part of the treatment of many bone and cartilaginous diseases. They’ve been useful in the treatment of conditions such as osteogenic imperfect (a collagen disease) and hypophosphatasia. Osteogenic imperfect is a genetic disease, that affects the bones. This disease makes the bones of the body fragile and prone to fracture. This disease is multisystemic, as it affects the lungs, heart, skeletal tissues and even the teeth. According to a study, mesenchymal stem cell therapy was given to a fetus affected by osteogenic imperfect. After birth, it was realized that the fetus, now a baby had a normal Also, patients suffering from hypophosphatasia, which were bone marrow transplant, that contains mesenchymal stem cells showed significant improvements.
2. Cardiovascular disease: Even though medicine has undergone lots of improvements, it has failed to reduce the death rate of heart-related diseases. However, mesenchymal cells have been useful in the treatment of various heart diseases because of their ability to regenerate and immune modulatory properties. There was a study, in which a total of 60 patients suffering from myocardial infarction were given the percutaneous coronary injection. Also, some of them were randomly assigned the mesenchymal stem cells through intracoronary injections. It was recorded that these patients showed profound improvements, especially in their heart functions. As a result of the study and many others, mesenchymal stem cells were used to treat patients that have both acute and chronic myocardial infarctions.
3. Cancer: Mesenchymal stem cells are vital for cancer treatment. This is primarily because of the ability of these cells to migrate towards tumors. There have been some theories that the mesenchymal stem cells might have some antitumor effect, although research is still done on this. There is hope that genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells can be used to treat cancer in the nearest future.
4. Treatment of autoimmune diseases: the Autoimmune disease is a condition in which the immune system of the body fails to recognize its tissue, and subsequently attacks it. Researchers are currently ongoing, as regards the effectiveness of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease, glomerulonephritis, systemic lupus erythematosus disease, multiple sclerosis, etc. However, according to a study, a group of 5 patients with Crohn’s disease was given mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue. Out of these 5 individuals, two responded to treatment and showed significant recovery. This led to the phase 2 of the clinical trial. Also, rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that damages cartilage, bones and joints may benefit from the regenerative and immune modulatory properties of the mesenchymal stem cells. Although, the potential has been quite controversial.

 

PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES OF MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS THERAPY

Although lots of advancements have been made, however, mesenchymal stem cell therapy is still far from maturity. There are lots of ethical and regulatory problems, especially with authority. Also, more research needs to be done, and more materials published, as mesenchymal stem cell therapy has a tremendous potential, and could be the remedy to a lot of connective tissue diseases, cancers and also autoimmune diseases.

 

SIDE EFFECTS OF MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS THERAPY

All types of stem cell therapy have some side effects. This is because of the procedures associated with transplants. On the one hand, the diseased cells are usually destroyed by either chemotherapy, radiotherapy or a combination of both. These most times don’t leave out the functional cells. Below are some of the side effects
1. Infection: Irradiation and chemotherapy eliminate the white blood cell and the immune system of the body. This makes the body vulnerable to viral, bacterial and fungal infections. Patients are usually given prophylactic drugs during this period to protect them from opportunistic diseases.
2. Veno-occlusive disease of the liver: The toxic effect of the conditioning therapy usually destroys the small vessels of the liver.

References
748. Chondrogenesis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Vivo. (2012). Molecular Therapy, 20, p.S289.
Jin, H., Bae, Y., Kim, M., Kwon, S., Jeon, H., Choi, S., Kim, S., Yang, Y., Oh, W. and Chang, J. (2017). Comparative Analysis of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Bone Marrow, Adipose Tissue, and Umbilical Cord Blood as Sources of Cell Therapy.
Ma, O. and Chan, K. (2016). Immunomodulation by mesenchymal stem cells: Interplay between mesenchymal stem cells and regulatory lymphocytes. World Journal of Stem Cells, 8(9), p.268.
Maurer, M. (2011). Proteomic Definitions of Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Stem Cells International, 2011, pp.1-9.

 

Original Article

 

LFLN REF:06032018, P.148-149