Stem cell transplantation in multiple sclerosis: current status and future prospects
Abstract
This article provides an overview of the current knowledge relating to the potential
use of transplanted stem cells in the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis
(MS). Two types of stem cells, CNS-derived neural stem/precursor cells (NPCs) and
bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered to provide reproducible
and robust therapeutic effects when intravenously or intrathecally injected into
both rodents and primates with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Furthermore,
preliminary safety data concerning the use of intrathecally injected autologous MSCs
in patients with progressive MS are available. We discuss how the data gathered to
date challenge the narrow view that the therapeutic effects of NPCs and MSCs observed
in the treatment of MS are accomplished solely by cell replacement. Both types of
stem cell, when transplanted systemically, might instead influence disease outcome
by releasing a plethora of factors that are immunomodulatory or neuroprotective,
thereby directly or indirectly influencing the regenerative properties of intrinsic
CNS stem/precursor cells.
Authors - Gianvito Martino, Robin J. M. Franklin, Anne Baron Van Evercooren, Douglas
A. Kerr
Author affiliations
G. Martino, R. J. M. Franklin, A. B. Van Evercooren, D. A. Kerr
Institute of Experimental Neurology–DIBIT 2, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele
Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milan, Italy (G. Martino). MRC Center
for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine,
University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, UK (R. J. M. Franklin).
INSERM U975, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris, and AP-HP, Hôpital Pitié-Salpétrière,
Fédération de Neurologie, Paris, F-75013, France (A. B. Van Evercooren). Johns Hopkins
TM Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Broadway Research Building, Room 759, Baltimore,
MD 21287-6965, USA (D. A. Kerr).
Correspondence to: G. Martino martino.gianvito@hsr.it
Published online 20 April 2010
Source - Nature Reviews - MedNews
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