Potential therapeutic application of mesenchymal stem cells in COVID-19 complications

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have remarkable immunomodulatory properties, low immunogenicity, and paracrine properties as well as the ability to differentiate into multiple cell lines. These properties make them potential candidates for clinical applications in the treatment of neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and lung diseases, which may be occupational diseases. Preclinical studies using experimental animal models have demonstrated regenerative properties of MSCs in diseases such as silicosis and occupational asthma. Currently, treatment of the novel disease COVID-19 could be enhanced by using MSC therapies. This disease affects many professional groups with great intensity and its consequences might be considered as an occupational disease. It is a significant public health problem and a therapeutic challenge. Despite the development of vaccines against COVID-19, there is growing concern about the emergence of new mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in addition to the known alpha, beta, gamma, and delta variants. There is still no effective COVID-19 treatment and the existing ones only play a supporting role. MSCs offer treatment possibilities as an alternative or complementary therapy. The clinical trials to date using MSCs in patients with COVID-19 give hope for the safe and effective use of this stem cell population. Med Pr. 2021;72(6)

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) alleviate paclitaxel-induced spermatogenesis defects and maintain male fertility

“…One week later, the expression of CD73 and STEM121 in the testis tissue of the control group (PBS + hUC-MSCs) and PTX + hUC-MSCs treatment group could still be detected. The results suggested that hUC-MSCs can survive for a long time in mouse testis tissue and exert effective paracrine immunomodulatory function to repair tissue damage [ 22 – 24 ]. After 2 weeks, significant changes in testicular morphology and key proteins related to spermatogenesis were identified in PTX-treated mice testis, and the application of hUC-MSCs (2 × 10 6 cells) significantly improved these changes and elevated antioxidant levels.…”

Effectiveness of RCTs Pooling Evidence on Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) Therapeutic Applications During COVID-19 Epidemic: A Systematic Review

“…Currently, MSC TXs have the potential to improve the management of the new illness COVID-19. 49 MSCs are non-hematopoietic cells (n-HPC) with a strong proliferative capacity and multi-lineage differentiation abilities. 50,51 MSCs have been employed for almost 3 decades and have demonstrated tremendous advances.…”

“…MSCs might be a viable therapeutic or supplemental agent for COVID-19 therapy. 49 They are widely used because of factors such as their low immunogenicity. MSCs are not identified by the human Immune System (IS) due to poor expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) particles and an undetectable level of MHC-II.…”

“…These abilities make them attractive therapeutic possibilities for the TX of neurological, cardiovascular, and pulmonary ailments, which may be occupational problems. 49 Preclinical research utilizing experimental animal designs has shown that MSCs have therapeutic implications in illnesses such as silicosis and pulmonary disease. Currently, MSC TXs have the potential to improve the management of the new illness COVID-19.…”

Update on COVID-19 and Effectiveness of a Vaccination Campaign in a Global Context

“…To address this problem, effective tests must be put in place for the rapid recognition of bacterial or viral diseases [ 13 ]. In this field, microbiological research needs to be expanded for adjuvant therapy with bacterial strains that are beneficial to the human microbiota, and which use probiotics and stem cells during viral infection [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. Moreover, because the aspiration of oral bacteria induces the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, a receptor for SARS-CoV-2, and production of inflammatory cytokines in the lower respiratory tract, poor oral hygiene can lead to COVID-19 aggravation [ 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”