Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Tuberculosis: Clinical Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the communicable diseases caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection, affecting nearly one-third of the world’s population. However, because the pathogenesis of TB is still not fully understood and the development of anti-TB drug is slow, TB remains a global public health problem. In recent years, with the gradual discovery and confirmation of the immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), more and more studies, including our team’s research, have shown that MSCs seem to be closely related to the growth status of Mtb and the occurrence and development of TB, which is expected to bring new hope for the clinical treatment of TB. This article reviews the relationship between MSCs and the occurrence and development of TB and the potential application of MSCs in the treatment of TB.

Alternatives to Antibiotics against Mycobacterium abscessus

“…Taking into account the recommendations of Zhang et al in their review about this therapy against M. tuberculosis infections [ 51 ], MSC-based MAC treatment should pay attention to some issues: (1) Depending on the different tissue sources and culture conditions in vitro, there are differences in the biological functions of MSCs [ 52 , 53 ], therefore it is important to select the MSCs from appropriate tissue sources and optimize the culture conditions in vitro. (2) Some clinical studies in M. tuberculosis have demonstrated that MSC treatment still has some side effects [ 54 ]; due to the lack of clinical trials, it cannot be fully proved that MSCs are safe as adjuvant therapy against Mycobacterium infections.…”

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosome Therapy of Microbial Diseases: From Bench to Bed

“…Recently, the attention on mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy rockets, with more than 50 clinical trials in progress to evaluate its application on COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)/pneumonia ( Meng et al, 2020 ; Shetty et al, 2020 ). Other hot research fields include septic shock ( McIntyre et al, 2018 ; Schlosser et al, 2019 ; Laroye et al, 2020 ), human immunodeficiency virus infection ( Allam et al, 2013 ; Zhang et al, 2013 ), influenza-associated pneumonia ( Darwish et al, 2013 ), hepatitis B virus-induced liver failure/cirrhosis ( Peng et al, 2011 ; Kantarcioglu et al, 2015 ; Lin et al, 2017 ), mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced bone defects ( Zhang et al, 2021c ), and refractory cytomegalovirus infection ( Meisel et al, 2011 ). MSC therapy has huge potential in adjuvant anti-infectious treatments via immunomodulation and tissue repair.…”

Antibiotic Resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Potential Use of Natural and Biological Products as Alternative Anti-Mycobacterial Agents

“…Conversely, MSCs are niches for Mtb dormancy in the context of TG and may contribute to the development of Tuberculosis [ 140 ]. Notably, there is evidence that MSCs can affect lipid homeostasis in macrophages, also reducing the expression of MHC II [ 141 ]. These activities, in turn, may decrease the Mtb energy supply, regulating the lipid metabolism in macrophages.…”

“…These activities, in turn, may decrease the Mtb energy supply, regulating the lipid metabolism in macrophages. As reported by Zhang and associates [ 141 , 142 ], the application of MSCs for the treatment of tuberculosis is at the beginning stages and some issues should be taken into consideration, such as, tissue sources of MSCs, culture conditions in vitro, and possible side effects.…”