Reparative Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke with Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Adipose Tissue: A Safety Assessment

Adipose-derived stem cells for wound repair and regeneration

INTRODUCTION

The use of undifferentiated cells for cell-based tissue repair and regeneration strategies represents a promising approach for chronic wound healing. Multipotent adult stem cells isolated from adipose tissue, termed adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), appear to be an ideal population of stem cells because they are autologous, non-immunogenic, plentiful, and easily obtained. Both preclinical and clinical studies have revealed that ASCs have potential for wound healing due to the mechanisms described below.

AREAS COVERED

Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that ASCs not only differentiate into keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, as evidenced by their morphology, expression of cell surface markers, and gene expression, but also secrete several soluble factors, which positively contribute to wound healing in a paracrine manner. Clinical trials have been conducted using autologous ASCs with great success.

EXPERT OPINION

There remain many concerns regarding the use of ASCs, including how these cells act as precursors of keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, or as a secretion vehicle of soluble factors. Further studies are necessary to establish the optimal strategy for the treatment of chronic wounds in patients with different disease backgrounds.

Developments in intracerebral stem cell grafts

The field of stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising research area for brain repair. Optimizing the safety and efficacy of the therapy for clinical trials will require revisiting transplantation protocols. The cell delivery route stands as a key translational item that warrants careful consideration in facilitating the success of stem cell therapy in the clinic. Intracerebral administration, compared to peripheral route, requires an invasive procedure to directly implant stem cells into injured brain. Although invasive, intracerebral transplantation circumvents the prohibitive blood brain barrier in allowing grafted cells when delivered peripherally to penetrate the brain and reach the discreet damaged brain tissues. This review will highlight milestone discoveries in cell therapy for neurological disorders, with emphasis on intracerebral transplantation in relevant animal models and provide insights necessary to optimize the safety and efficacy of cell therapy for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, stroke and traumatic brain injury.