Mesenchymal stem cells: Emerging concepts and recent advances in their roles in organismal homeostasis and therapy

Abstract

Stem cells play a crucial role in re-establishing homeostasis in the body, and the search for mechanisms by which they interact with the host to exert their therapeutic effects remains a key question currently being addressed. Considering their significant regenerative/therapeutic potential, research on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has experienced an unprecedented advance in recent years, becoming the focus of extensive works worldwide to develop cell-based approaches for a variety of diseases. Initial evidence for the effectiveness of MSCs therapy comes from the restoration of dynamic microenvironmental homeostasis and endogenous stem cell function in recipient tissues by systemically delivered MSCs. The specific mechanisms by which the effects are exerted remain to be investigated in depth. Importantly, the profound cell-host interplay leaves persistent therapeutic benefits that remain detectable long after the disappearance of transplanted MSCs. In this review, we summarize recent advances on the role of MSCs in multiple disease models, provide insights into the mechanisms by which MSCs interact with endogenous stem cells to exert therapeutic effects, and refine the interconnections between MSCs and cells fused to damaged sites or differentiated into functional cells early in therapy.

Knowledge mapping and research trends of stem cell in wound healing: A bibliometric analysis

“…MSC had the pluripotent capacity to differentiate into both mesodermal and non‐mesodermal cell lineages, which were known as a class of heterogeneous stem/progenitor cells, including bone cells, fat cells, chondrocytes, muscle cells, cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, epithelial cells, and neurons 47 . MSC were found primarily in bone marrow, but had been proven to exist in many other tissues (Figure 11A), including the adipose (ADSCs), dental pulp (DPSCs), umbilical cord (UCMSCs), periodontal ligament (PDLSCs), tendon (TSPCs), and the exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) 48,49 . One of the unique features of MSC was their ability to multidifferentiate in culture.…”

“… 47 MSC were found primarily in bone marrow, but had been proven to exist in many other tissues (Figure 11A ), including the adipose (ADSCs), dental pulp (DPSCs), umbilical cord (UCMSCs), periodontal ligament (PDLSCs), tendon (TSPCs), and the exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED). 48 , 49 One of the unique features of MSC was their ability to multidifferentiate in culture. Based on this, MSC had garnered a lot of interest in the area of regenerative medicine, 50 which had shown promising outcomes in the repair of injured tissue in recent years.…”

Application of mesenchymal stem cells in regenerative medicine: A new approach in modern medical science

“…6 In addition, MSCs have a variety of biological activities such as immunomodulation, repair, increased alveolar fluid secretion, and regulation of pulmonary vascular endothelial permeability. 2,11…”

“…MSCs have different properties, including self‐renewal, differentiation potential, colony formation, 9 various autocrine and paracrine factors secretion, including chemokines, cytokines, extracellular matrix (ECM) proteases, and growth factors 6 . In addition, MSCs have a variety of biological activities such as immunomodulation, repair, increased alveolar fluid secretion, and regulation of pulmonary vascular endothelial permeability 2,11 …”

Re-establishing immune tolerance in multiple sclerosis: focusing on novel mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cell regulation of Th17/Treg balance

“…Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells that exist in many human tissues and are characterized by their rapid expansion in vitro [ 37 , 38 ]. MSCs originate from a variety of organs and tissues, such as bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue, muscle, umbilical cord (UC), and placental tissue [ 39 , 40 ]. MSCs are considered a powerful tool for controlling MS progression and restoring immune tolerance owing to their powerful immunomodulatory effects and lower immunogenicity [ 41 , 42 ].…”