Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent stem cells with the capacity for both self-renewal and differentiation. They can transform into various cell types, offering a wide range of clinical applications. MSCs are present in various sources, including the umbilical cord, dental pulp, adipose tissue (fat), and bone marrow.
MSCs operate through the secretion of bioactive factors and exosomes using the endocrine and paracrine systems. They release various molecules, including cytokines, growth factors, antioxidants, pro-angiogenic factors, and factors that stimulate cell proliferation and angiogenesis. This secretion reduces the stress response and apoptosis in damaged cells, leading to tissue repair. Additionally, MSCs play a role in the regulation of local and systemic inflammatory and immune responses, contributing to their therapeutic effects.
MSCs possess the capability to modulate a patient’s immune system, stimulate cell growth, and differentiate into diverse specialised cell types. Their potential applications have extended to a broad spectrum of diseases, including but not limited to heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord injury, chronic trauma, Graft-versus-host disease, rheumatoid arthritis, liver cirrhosis, retinal diseases, and numerous others.
Research has indicated that replenishing an adequate quantity of stem cells within the body can trigger other endogenous stem cells found in the human body. This, in turn, enhances the metabolic functions of cells and organs, ultimately leading to a potential delay in the overall ageing process.
The potential benefits encompass a wide range of improvements, including increased energy and physical vitality, enhanced overall health, anti-ageing effects, heightened libido, restoration of hormonal balance, firmer and more youthful skin, and improvements in memory.
Content Of Mesenchymal stem cells per 200 million [Nucleated cells] | |
---|---|
Cord Blood | 1 cell |
Adult Bone Marrow | 2,000 cells |
Wharton’s Jelly | 666,000 cells |
*Reference: BMC Cell Biology 2006,7: 14
MSCs can be considered “master” cells with crucial roles in tissue repair and regeneration. As humans age, there are noticeable changes in MSCs:
Maintaining the health and function of MSCs, or potentially replenishing them through therapeutic approaches, is an area of interest for addressing age-related health issues, including those related to skin ageing.
Clinical research on MSCs is on the rise, with significant trends and observations. The worldwide landscape of MSC clinical studies is notable. China, Europe, and the United States are at the forefront of clinical research in this field, indicating its global importance and widespread interest.
MSCs hold promise for the treatment of a wide array of diseases. Clinical research encompasses hundreds of conditions, with particular emphasis on three primary areas: nervous system, cardiovascular, and orthopaedic diseases.
In addition to the core areas, clinical research on MSCs extends to various other diseases, including diabetes, liver disorders, lung diseases, gastrointestinal tract conditions, skin ailments, and Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). This diversification underscores the versatility and potential of MSCs in addressing a wide range of medical challenges.
The data from Clinicaltrials.gov reflects the growing interest and investment in MSC research and its application in addressing diverse health issues. This suggests that MSCs will continue to play a pivotal role in future medical advancements, with an expanding range of therapeutic applications.
No. | Product name | Company | Approved country | Regulator | Year | Indications | Product Type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Queencell | Anterogen Co. Ltd. | South Korea | MFDS (KFDA) | 2010 | Subcutaneous tissue defects | Autologous human AT-MSC |
2 | Cellgram-AMI | Pharmicell Co. Ltd. | South Korea | MFDS (KFDA) | 2011 | Acute myocardial infarction | Autologous human BM-MSC |
3 | Cartistem | Medipost Co. Ltd. | South Korea | MFDS (KFDA) | 2012 | Knee articular cartilage defects | Allogeneic human UC-MSC |
4 | Cupistem | Anterogen Co. Ltd. | South Korea | MFDS (KFDA) | 2012 | Crohn’s fistula | Autologous human BM-MSC |
5 | Prochymal, remestemcel-L | Osiris Therapeutics Inc., Mesoblast Ltd. | Canada, New Zealand |
Health Canada, MedSafe | 2012 | GvHD | Allogeneic human BM-MSC |
6 | Neuronata-R | Corestem Inc. | South Korea | MFDS (KFDA) | 2014 | Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis | Autologous human BM-MSC |
7 | Temcell HS | JCR Pharmaceuticals | Japan | PMDA | 2015 | GvHD | Allogeneic human BM-MSC |
8 | Stempeucel | Stempeutics Research PVT | India | CDSCO | 2016 | Critical limb ischemia | Allogeneic human BM-MSC |
9 | Alofisel | TiGenix NV/Takeda | Europe, Japan | EMA | 2018 | Complex perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease | Allogeneic human AT-MSC |
10 | Stemirac | Nipro Corp | Japan | PMDA | 2018 | Spinal cord injury | Autologous human BM-MSC |
No. | Product name |
---|---|
1 | Queencell |
2 | Cellgram-AMI |
3 | Cartistem |
4 | Cupistem |
5 | Prochymal, remestemcel-L |
6 | Neuronata-R |
7 | Temcell HS |
8 | Stempeucel |
9 | Alofisel |
10 | Stemirac |
Company | Approved country | Regulator | Year | Indications | Product Type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anterogen Co. Ltd. | South Korea | MFDS (KFDA) | 2010 | Subcutaneous tissue defects | Autologous human AT-MSC |
Pharmicell Co. Ltd. | South Korea | MFDS (KFDA) | 2011 | Acute myocardial infarction | Autologous human BM-MSC |
Medipost Co. Ltd. | South Korea | MFDS (KFDA) | 2012 | Knee articular cartilage defects | Allogeneic human UC-MSC |
Anterogen Co. Ltd. | South Korea | MFDS (KFDA) | 2012 | Crohn’s fistula | Autologous human BM-MSC |
Osiris Therapeutics Inc., Mesoblast Ltd. | Canada, New Zealand | Health Canada, MedSafe | 2012 | GvHD | Allogeneic human BM-MSC |
Corestem Inc. | South Korea | MFDS (KFDA) | 2014 | Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis | Autologous human BM-MSC |
JCR Pharmaceuticals | Japan | PMDA | 2015 | GvHD | Allogeneic human BM-MSC |
Stempeutics Research PVT | India | CDSCO | 2016 | Critical limb ischemia | Allogeneic human BM-MSC |
TiGenix NV/Takeda | Europe, Japan | EMA | 2018 | Complex perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease | Allogeneic human AT-MSC |
Nipro Corp | Japan | PMDA | 2018 | Spinal cord injury | Autologous human BM-MSC |