Stem cells as a potential therapy for necrotizing enterocolitis

Abstract

The current data are promising and demonstrate that stem cells do have an effect in rodent models of NEC. However, the short timescale, limited ability for longitudinal evaluation and uncertain clinical relevance of these models means that there are considerable challenges to be overcome before attempting stem cell therapy in clinical trials. Nevertheless, these data open up novel areas of research into a prevention or therapy for this devastating disease.

Stem cells and necrotizing enterocolitis: A direct comparison of the efficacy of multiple types of stem cells

“…Four SC were compared: (1) amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal SC (AF-MSC); (2) amniotic fluid-derived neural SC (AF-NSC); (3) bone marrow-derived mesenchymal SC (BM-MSC); and (4) neonatal enteric neural SC (E-NSC). Using an established rat model of NEC, pups delivered prematurely received an intraperitoneal injection of SC.…”

“…The model of NEC was based on that described by Barlow et al . (6, 7, 20–23) Rat pups delivered via C-section one half-day prematurely were randomized into six groups: (1) breastfed ( n = 10 ); (2) NEC + 1% phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, Corning, Manassas, VA) ( n = 62 ); (3) NEC + AF-MSC ( n = 42 ); (4) NEC + AF-NSC ( n = 37 ); (5) NEC + BM-MSC ( n = 48 ); (6) NEC + E-NSC ( n = 36 ). After delivery, each pup received a single intraperitoneal (IP) injection of 2×10 6 SC in 0.1mL PBS.…”

“…(1) Stem cell therapy has been shown in in vivo animal models to protect the intestines from several different types of injury including NEC. (2–9) While previous studies have shown promise with administration of stem cells, no study has directly compared the efficacy of different types of stem cells side-by-side. Our purpose was to determine whether stem cells from four different sources have varying efficacies, enabling the identification of stem cell(s) that may more effectively treat NEC.…”

Current Research on the Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Management of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

“…Recent evidence from 3 different research groups has suggested that stem cells are able to influence the course of the disease in experimental NEC [88]: amniotic fluid stem (AFS) cells [89], mesenchymal stem cells [90,91], and enteric neural stem system cells [92]. In addition to the beneficial effects of AFS cells and the conditioned medium from AFS cells, other recent evidence highlights the potential role of factors in amniotic fluid in the prevention and/or treatment of NEC.…”

Inhibiting hydrogen sulfide production in umbilical stem cells reduces their protective effects during experimental necrotizing enterocolitis

“…Researchers in the field of experimental NEC have demonstrated that stem cells are beneficial in therapy for this condition [3,5,20,21]. The question remains as to how these cells are workingwhether it is by paracrine effects or by integration into the damaged tissue with regeneration.…”