Mesenchymal stem cell as a novel approach to systemic sclerosis; current status and future perspectives

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis is a rare chronic autoimmune disease with extensive microvascular injury, damage of endothelial cells, activation of immune responses, and progression of tissue fibrosis in the skin and various internal organs. According to epidemiological data, women’s populations are more susceptible to systemic sclerosis than men. Until now, various therapeutic options are employed to manage the symptoms of the disease. Since stem cell-based treatments have developed as a novel approach to rescue from several autoimmune diseases, it seems that stem cells, especially mesenchymal stem cells as a powerful regenerative tool can also be advantageous for systemic sclerosis treatment via their remarkable properties including immunomodulatory and anti-fibrotic effects. Accordingly, we discuss the contemporary status and future perspectives of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for systemic sclerosis.

Critical roles of cytokine storm and bacterial infection in patients with COVID-19: therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells

“…They have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into a variety of mesenchymal lineages, including bones, cartilages, adipose tissues, and tendons. Furthermore, they can be isolated from a wide range of fetal and adult tissues (Larijani et al 2015 ; Goodarzi et al 2019a ; Abedi et al 2020 ; Aghayan et al 2020 , Ghezelayagh et al 2021 ; Islam et al 2021 ; Madani et al 2021 ; Xaki et al 2021 ; Aghayan et al 2022 ). Nowadays, this fact has been discovered that MSC therapy may inhibit the active immune system from triggering a cytokine storm in COVID-19 cases, and the stem cells' reparative powers may support endogenous repair (Ellison-Hughes et al 2020 ; Parhizkar Roudsari et al 2020 ; Rajarshi et al 2020 ; Arjmand et al 2021 , Gilany et al 2021 ).…”

Organ on a Chip: A Novel in vitro Biomimetic Strategy in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Modeling

“…Also, according to research, administering neurotrophic or neuroprotective agents like 7,8-dihydroxyflavone or glycoprotein non-metastatic protein B can promote neuronal regrowth and neuronal repair (39,45). Furthermore, some studies have focused on the role of cell-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases (51)(52)(53).…”

Cell Based Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases in Children

“…Further studies are needed for optimal preparation of MSC infusions and long-term data collection essential to determine the long-term risks of MSC. Although, the risk for interstitial lung disease or accelerated fibrosis initially was a great concern - for the potential of trapped MSC within the lung to differentiate into fibroblasts -, this, so far, has not been a reported adverse effect ( 70 ). Further studies are needed for optimal preparation of MSC infusions and long-term data collection essential to determine the long-term risks of MSC.…”

“…There is significant interest in MSC treatment of SSC for the paucity of effective treatment options, as well as, for the pathogenesis of the illness that is tightly coupled with the progeny of MSC, i.e., fibroblasts and endothelial cells ( 70 ). Initial results were encouraging on a small case series of four patients with leukemia who developed sclerodermatous chronic GVHD after bone marrow transplant ( 80 ).…”