Therapeutic efficacy of multipotent adult progenitor cells versus mesenchymal stem cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Mesenchymal stem cells as a treatment for multiple sclerosis: a focus on experimental animal studies

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive and debilitating neurological condition in which the immune system abnormally attacks the myelin sheath insulating the nerves. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are found in most adult tissues and play a significant systemic role in self-repair. MSCs have promising therapeutic effects in many diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, including MS. MSCs have been tested in MS animal models, such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Other studies have combined other agents with MSCs, genetically modified MSCs, or used culture medium from MSCs. In this review, we will summarize these studies and compare the main factors in each study, such as the source of MSCs, the type of animal model, the route of injection, the number of injected cells, and the mechanism of action.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Multiple Sclerosis: Recent Evidence from Pre-Clinical to Clinical Studies

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Nowadays, available therapies for MS can help to manage MS course and symptoms, but new therapeutic approaches are required. Stem cell therapy using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appeared promising in different neurodegenerative conditions, thanks to their beneficial capacities, including the immunomodulation ability, and to their secretome. The secretome is represented by growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by MSCs. In this review, we focused on studies performed on in vivo MS models involving the administration of MSCs and on clinical trials evaluating MSCs administration. Experimental models of MS evidenced that MSCs were able to reduce inflammatory cell infiltration and disease score. Moreover, MSCs engineered to express different genes, preconditioned with different compounds, differentiated or in combination with other compounds also exerted beneficial actions in MS models, in some cases also superior to native MSCs. Secretome, both conditioned medium and EVs, also showed protective effects in MS models and appeared promising to develop new approaches. Clinical trials highlighted the safety and feasibility of MSC administration and reported some improvements, but other trials using larger cohorts of patients are needed.

Mesenchymal stem cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model of multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation has been considered a possible therapeutic method for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, no quantitative data synthesis of MSCs therapy for MS exists. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of MSCs in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) animal model of MS.

METHODS

We identified eligible studies published from January 1980 to January 2017 by searching four electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science). The outcome was the effects of MSCs on clinical performance evaluated by the EAE clinical score.

RESULTS

36 preclinical studies including 675 animals in MSCs treatment group, and 693 animals in control group were included in this meta-analysis. We found that MSCs transplantation significantly ameliorated the symptoms and delayed the disease progression (SMD = -1.25, 95% CI: -1.45 to -1.05, P < 0.001). However, no significant differences in effect sizes were unveiled relative to clinical score standard (P = 0.35), type of MSCs (P = 0.35), source of MSCs (P = 0.06), MSCs dose (P = 0.44), delivery methods (P = 0.31) and follow up period (P = 0.73).

CONCLUSIONS

The current study showed that MSCs transplantation could ameliorate clinical performance in EAE animal model of MS. These findings support the further studies translate MSCs to treat MS in humans.

Alginate encapsulated multipotent adult progenitor cells promote corneal stromal cell activation via release of soluble factors

To reduce the increasing need for corneal transplantation, attempts are currently aiming to restore corneal clarity, one potent source of cells are multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPC^®). These cells release a powerful cocktail of paracrine factors that can guide wound healing and tissue regeneration. However, their role in corneal regeneration has been overlooked. Thus, we sought to explore the potential of combining the cytoprotective storage feature of alginate, with MAPC to generate a storable cell-laden gel for corneal wound healing. 72 hours following hypothermic storage, alginate encapsulation was shown to maintain MAPC viability at either 4 or 15°C. Encapsulated MAPC (2 x10⁶ cells/mL) stored at 15°C presented the optimum temperature that allowed for cell recovery. These cells had the ability to reattach to tissue culture plastic whilst exhibiting normal phenotype and this was maintained in serum-free and xenobiotic-free medium. Furthermore, corneal stromal cells presented a significant decrease in scratch-wounds in the presence of alginate encapsulated MAPC compared to a no-cell control (p = 0.018). This study shows that immobilization of MAPC within an alginate hydrogel does not hinder their ability to affect a secondary cell population via soluble factors and that these effects are successfully retained following hypothermic storage.