What Are Mesenchymal Stem Cells?

by Stemedix | Oct 18, 2021 | Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Stem Cell Therapy

Mesenchymal stem cells are a specific type of stem cell. MSCs have been the subject of many medical studies and extensive research. MSCs are essentially the raw materials that the body uses to generate new tissues.

These versatile cells can differentiate or transform into many different forms of cells, including the following:

Skin cells
Corneal cells
Neural (brain) cells
Muscle tissue
Cartilage
Bone

Like many other types of cells and hormones, MSCs are found in lower concentrations as people age. The remaining mesenchymal stem cells also become less robust, which means that they are not as effective at replacing damaged tissues.

When they were originally discovered, MSCs were thought to have been present within the bone marrow only. However, researchers later discovered that this was not the case. MSCs can be retrieved from the following locations and utilized for stem cell therapy:

Bone Marrow Aspirate

When harvesting MSCs from bone marrow aspirate, a medical professional will retrieve MSCs from the bone marrow using a large syringe. While MSCs are technically present in all bone marrow, physicians typically retrieve aspirate from the hip. This large bone structure has the highest concentration of mesenchymal stem cells and is also the easiest spot to access.

Adipose Tissue

MSCs can also be sourced from adipose (fat) tissue. This method is much easier on the patient than using bone marrow aspirate. In addition, the adipose tissue may have a higher concentration of MSCs than the bone marrow.

Umbilical Cord Tissue

The third potential source of MSCs for therapeutic purposes is umbilical cord tissue. Specifically, medical professionals harvest Wharton’s Jelly, which is located within the umbilical cord. Wharton’s Jelly yields the largest concentration of MSCs and is from healthy C-Section births from screened and tested mothers.

Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Due to their regenerative properties and low immunogenicity, mesenchymal stem cells have shown promising results in the treatment of various conditions. They have been investigated for their potential in orthopedics, neurology, cardiology, autoimmune diseases, and even cosmetic procedures. Researchers are exploring their use in conditions such as osteoarthritis, Parkinson’s disease, heart failure, multiple sclerosis, and wound healing, among others.

Moreover, mesenchymal stem cells have demonstrated an impressive safety profile in clinical studies. Their compatibility with the human body, along with minimal risk of rejection or adverse reactions, makes them an attractive option for therapeutic applications. In addition, mesenchymal stem cells can be sourced from various ethical and non-controversial sources, like a patient’s own adipose tissue.

What Can MSCs Be Used For?

MSCs have the potential to reduce the symptoms of various ailments, including osteoarthritis, sports-related injuries, and neurodegenerative conditions.

While the overall effectiveness of mesenchymal stem cells is still being studied, many patients experience benefits such as reduced pain, improved quality of life, and long-term relief of symptoms. However, the cumulative impact of MSCs will depend largely on the condition being treated and patient-specific factors.If you or a loved one are facing an autoimmune disorder, orthopedic condition, or neurodegenerative condition, mesenchymal stem cells may be a potential option to explore further. This approach has the potential to slow the progression of degenerative conditions or stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. If you would like to learn more contact us today!

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How Do Mesenchymal Stem Cells Repair?

by Stemedix | Oct 11, 2021 | Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Stem Cell Therapy

Over the last decade, the field of stem cell therapy has grown in research and awareness. This growth is thanks to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs,) the type of cells most commonly explored for their powerful reparative properties. Medical professionals can harvest and concentrate these MSCs from multiple sources, making them more accessible. As a result, stem cells can be used as a form of regenerative medicine. This intervention offers potential benefits for patients suffering from neurodegenerative, orthopedic, and autoimmune conditions. This article will outline some basic information about MSCs and how Mesenchymal stem cells repair.

Basic Biology of MSCs

Stem cells are a unique type of cell. Unlike other cells, MSCs can divide into daughter cells and then transform into specialized cells such as those found in bone, brain matter, and soft tissue. Stem cells can be divided into two broad categories, embryonic and adult stem cells.

Adult stem cells are the primary type used in modern medical interventions. When adult stem cells were initially discovered, scientists believed they were only present in the bone marrow.

While bone marrow aspirate can be an ideal source of stem cells, they are also present in adipose tissue, dental pulp, the kidneys, amniotic fluid, and the amniotic membrane. However, they are primarily harvested from adipose tissue, bone marrow, or umbilical cords.

MSCs’ Reparative Properties

Stem cells are naturally present in the human body. However, the concentration of these valuable cells is reduced as people age. As a result, older individuals typically have longer recovery times from injuries and are more prone to degenerative conditions.

Mesenchymal stem cells allow medical professionals to circumvent this natural degradation. They can harvest stem cells, concentrate them, and then administer them to a specific location, such as the site of an injury. Once administered, the stem cells will seek out inflammation and repair damaged tissue, thereby accelerating the natural healing process.

The Harvesting Process

Before they can be administered, stem cells must be harvested. Many patients opt for autologous stem cell therapy. This treatment involves the concentration of stem cells derived from the patient’s existing body tissues.

When preparing to harvest stem cells, the provider usually administers a local anesthetic. The provider will then harvest either bone marrow aspirate or adipose (fat) tissue depending on the preference and treatment plan. The stem cells are processed, concentrated, and administered back to the patient to targeted areas.

Stem cells have the potential to supplement the patient’s healing capabilities for six months to a year. This intervention can be utilized to treat many different conditions and may offer patients an alternative to traditional options or in conjunction with. If you would like to learn more about how Mesenchymal Stem Cells repair, contact us today!

The Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Secretome in Parkinson’s Disease

by admin | Oct 8, 2021 | Stem Cell Therapy, Exosomes, Parkinson's Disease, Stem Cell Research

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that currently affects nearly 6 million people worldwide and is currently the second most common neurological condition, behind only Alzheimer’s.

Although the exact cause of PD remains unclear, the condition is characterized by the gradual loss of nerve cells in the brain responsible for producing the neurotransmitter dopamine^[1]. While no cure for PD currently exists, current therapeutic treatment approaches focus on improving quality of life but are not able to prevent or slow the progression of the disease.

Recent research has demonstrated positive effects of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation that has been associated with secromes; noted beneficial effects include providing a self-regulated regenerative response that limits the area of lesions. Additionally, these MSC-derived secretomes compose soluble factors and encapsulated extravesicles (EV). These EVs have been found to have a significant impact on physiological processes, including cell-to-cell communication.

Considering MSCs are readily available and easily isolated from a number of sources, including adipose tissue, umbilical cord Wharton’s Jelly, bone marrow, and dental pulp, these stem cells are thought to hold potential as a therapeutic approach to managing PD.

As part of this review, d’Angelo et al. highlight a number of studies demonstrating the potential of MSCs in improving a number of conditions and symptoms consistent with those demonstrated in PD. In these studies, animal models demonstrate improved motor behaviors and correction of functional impairment after transplantation of MSCs.

The authors point out that further research exploring cell-free, therapeutic, personalized approaches for the different neurodegenerative diseases, including PD, is needed.

d’Angelo et al. also note that, while MSC-derived secretomes have shown positive effects on neuronal cell survival, differentiation, and proliferation, further studies are needed to fully understand all of the bioactive molecules.

Since MSC-derived secretomes are able to stimulate neurotrophic and neuronal survival pathways and appear to counteract neuronal death, they could potentially be a beneficial tool in future management and prevention efforts for a number of neurodegenerative conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and stroke.

Source:(2020, July 23). Insights into the Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived … – NCBI. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7432166/

^[1] “Parkinsonfoundation.org -.” https://parkinsonfoundation.org/. Accessed 5 Oct. 2021.

A Review of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis

by admin | Oct 1, 2021 | Stem Cell Therapy, Osteoarthritis, PRP, Stem Cell Research

With nearly 30 million people in the US affected by osteoarthritis (OA), the condition continues to be among the leading causes of chronic pain and disability. Considering that advances in medical technology have increased overall life expectancy, the number of people living longer and dealing with the effects of OA is expected to increase for the foreseeable future.

Although modern medicine has improved the way most diseases and chronic conditions are diagnosed and treated, OA treatment has not benefited from these advances. As a result, treatment and prevention of OA continue to focus primarily on controlling and minimizing symptoms associated with the condition, not treating or preventing the condition itself. Unfortunately, for many, when symptoms of OA progress to a point where the pain is no longer able to be managed, their options look to surgical replacement of the affected joint.

While there are many contributing factors related to the onset and progression of OA, including obesity, history of trauma, genetics, and heritable and acquired disorders, there also appears to be an association between the onset of OA and a depleted local population of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

Considering the apparent relationship between OA and MSCs, Freitag et al. reviewed the reparative pathways, safety, and efficacy of MSC therapy in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

With their ease of harvest and ability to expand into chondrocytes, MSCs have continued to gain interest when exploring various stem cell therapies for the active management of pain and symptoms associated with OA.

Freitag et al. found that preclinical and clinical results of studies of cartilage repair techniques that utilize MSCs, including MSC scaffold transplantation techniques, MSC injectable techniques, MSC as a vehicle for platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and hyaluronic acid (HA) as an active carrier of MSCs, have all shown favorable results in supporting the benefits of MSC for the improvement of function and regeneration of new tissue in those afflicted with OA.

With over 400 active trials currently examining the efficacy of MSCs in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including OA, the safety of utilizing MSC therapy continues to draw interest from the medical community.

Although some early studies appeared to raise the question of abnormal cell growth, and ultimately the safety, associated with MSC therapy, the authors’ systematic review of clinical trials found that, while caution needs to be undertaken when culturing MSCs, the evidence demonstrates MSCs are generally safe for therapeutic use for the treatment of OA.

Freitag et al. conclude that the rapid progression of OA and related conditions demonstrate the need for therapies that repair and prevent these diseases, not just manage pain and related symptoms. As such, the authors feel MSC therapy offers a safe and viable option for the eventual treatment and prevention of OA and calls for further randomized controlled trials to evaluate the most effective applications of MSCs for managing osteoarthritis.

Source: (2016, May 26). Mesenchymal stem cell therapy in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Retrieved from https://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-016-1085-9

A Review of Current Mesenchymal Stem Cell Clinical Applications

by admin | Sep 3, 2021 | Stem Cell Therapy, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Stem Cell Research

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are multipotent adult stem cells found in tissue throughout the body, including in the umbilical cord, bone marrow, and adipose tissue. Capable of self-renewing and differentiating into multiple tissues including bone, cartilage, muscle, fat cells, and connective tissue^[1], MSCs appear to have a wide range of potential for use as therapeutic purposes for many serious health problems occurring throughout the body.

In this review, Rodriguez-Fuentes et al. examined currently registered (as of July 2020) clinical trials involving mesenchymal stem cells with the goal of analyzing the different applications of MSCs in a clinical setting to demonstrate the growing and broad potential of their therapeutic application relative to the reconstruction of damaged tissue.

As of July 2020, the authors identified 1,138 registered clinical trials (CTs) worldwide using MSCs to investigate their therapeutic potential. Therapeutic applications are a relatively new area of study, evidenced by the fact that only 19 CT studies were started between 1995 and 2005 and over 900 were initiated in the last ten years (2011-present). The majority of these CTs focused on the fields of traumatology, neurology, cardiology, and immunology. Interestingly, of the 1,138 CTs identified in this query, only 18 had published outcomes.

Examining the global distribution of registered CTs, it was observed that CTs are located in 51 countries, with China (228) and the US (186) leading the research.

As part of this review, and in addition to examining the number and geographic locations of registered CTs, the sourcing, isolation and treatment methods, and storage conditions of MSCs used in each clinical trial.

Most of the MSCs used for these CTs were obtained from cells of the iliac crest, placenta, and adipose tissue. All recovered cells underwent steps of purification and expansion prior to use in patients. Additionally, all methods used in these CTs were also found to follow good manufacturing practices (GMP).

Upon completing their review of registered CTs, Rodriguez-Fuentes et al. also observed that medical specialties for the most published studies included (in descending order) cardiology, traumatology, pneumology, neurology, hematology, ophthalmology, and plastic surgery. The most frequent pathologies addressed in these published CT studies included knee osteoarthritis, ischemic heart disease, and dilated cardiomyopathy. While the number of MSCs used varied by study, most utilized around 100 million MSCs.

The authors concluded that most studies analyzed as part of this review demonstrate positive outcomes with no serious adverse effects. While China and the US lead the world in the number of registered MSC clinical trials, the authors point out the fact that many of these CTs have multiple locations in different countries – indicating the importance of, and willingness to, collaborate internationally on this research.

Although most of the conditions for which clinical utility of MSCs have been published are conditions that do not currently have specific treatments with desirable or effective outcomes, there appears to be significant and broad potential for the clinical use of hMSCs without serious adverse events.

While there are currently at least 1,138 registered MSC CTs, there is still much to be examined and understood about MSCs. As such the continually increasing number of CTs including MSCs will help identify and demonstrate the therapeutic potential of these versatile stem cells.

^[1] “Mesenchymal stem cells – Latest research and news | Nature.” https://www.nature.com/subjects/mesenchymal-stem-cells.

Source: Mesenchymal Stem Cells Current Clinical Applications. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S018844092030638X

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