Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine: Astray or on the Path?

Abstract

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the best characterized adult stem cells and the only stem cell type in routine clinical use. The concept of stem cell transplantation laid the foundations for the development of novel cell therapies within, and even outside, the hematopoietic system. Here, we report on the history of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and of HSC isolation, we briefly summarize the capabilities of HSCs to reconstitute the entire hemato/lymphoid cell system, and we assess current indications for HCT. We aim to draw the lines between areas where HCT has been firmly established, areas where HCT can in the future be expected to be of clinical benefit using their regenerative functions, and areas where doubts persist. We further review clinical trials for diverse approaches that are based on HCT. Finally, we highlight the advent of genome editing in HSCs and critically view the use of HSCs in non-hematopoietic tissue regeneration.

Advances in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

“…Since the early beginnings, in the late 1940s, HSCT has become an established care for an increasing number of patients with hematologic malignancies, congenital or acquired disorders of the hematopoietic system and some solid tumors [1][2][3].…”

Amniotic Epithelial Cells: A New Tool to Combat Aging and Age-Related Diseases?

“…Adult tissue specific stem cells, like hematopoietic precursors, muscle satellite cells, and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, are also limited in their potential for regenerative medicine as their function is limited to only their specific tissue, they can induce immune-rejection responses, and acquiring adequate numbers of tissue-specific stem cells for regenerative studies can often be challenging due to their rarity as well as limited ex vivo maintenance and expansion techniques (Müller et al, 2016). …”

Peripheral mononuclear blood cell apheresis in a preclinical ovine model

“…PBMC populations contain a number of cell types, including peripheral haematopoietic stem cells (HSC) [ 4 ], derived from the bone marrow. CD34 + ve HSC are widely used in regenerative medicine to treat malignant and non malignant haematopoetic disorders [ 5 ] and, increasingly, are being used in regenerative medicine strategies to treat disorders of other body systems [ 6 ]. Traditionally HSC were harvested directly from the bone marrow for bone marrow transplantation; however, automated retrieval of a peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) fraction for this purpose using an apheresis procedure is now standard clinical practice [ 7 ].…”