New perspectives on treatment of gastrointestinal diseases: therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stromal cells

Abstract

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a promising resource for cell therapy of different organs and systems, including the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Therapeutic effect of MSC transplantation in GIT diseases may be partly due to their differentiation into various cellular components of the digestive tube. However, more significant is regulatory influence of MSCs on survival, proliferation, and differentiation of the gastric and intestinal epithelial cells, as well as their immunomodulatory, pro-angiogenic and antifibrotic effects. Data from experiments on animals and clinical trials indicate prospect of using MSCs in various diseases affecting any parts of GIT. However, effective and safe clinical use of MSCs requires an in-depth study of the mechanisms of their therapeutic effect, the development of optimal methods of administration, and risk assessment of adverse effects. This review analyzes MSC participation in regeneration of GIT and systematizes data on the potential of using MSCs in the treatment of gastroenterological diseases.