Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Neurodegeneration

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therapeutic944 wordssynced 2026-04-02

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Neurodegeneration

Introduction

<table class="infobox infobox-therapeutic">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Neurodegeneration</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Name</td>
<td>Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Neurodegeneration</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Type</td>
<td>Therapeutic</td>
</tr>
</table>

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy For Neurodegeneration is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

Overview

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Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Neurodegeneration

Introduction

Overview

Mermaid diagram (expand to render)

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells with immunomodulatory, neurotrophic, and regenerative properties. MSC-based therapies are being investigated for Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, ALS, multiple sclerosis, and stroke [1]. These cells can be derived from bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord, or dental pulp [2]. [@pittenger1999]

Molecular Mechanisms

Immunomodulation

MSCs secrete anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, TGF-β) and inhibit pro-inflammatory immune cell activation, reducing chronic neuroinflammation characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases [3]. This immunomodulatory effect is mediated through both cell-cell contact and paracrine signaling mechanisms [4]. [@shi2010]

Neurotrophic Support

MSCs release neurotrophic factors including BDNF, GDNF, NGF, and VEGF, supporting neuronal survival and promoting endogenous repair mechanisms [5]. These neurotrophins can protect vulnerable neuronal populations from degeneration [6]. [@aggarwal2005]

Paracrine Signaling

Most therapeutic effects are mediated through secretome (conditioned media) containing [exosomes](/entities/exosomes), microRNAs, and growth factors rather than direct cell replacement [7]. The MSC secretome has shown therapeutic potential in multiple neurodegeneration models [8]. [@crigler2007]

Mitochondrial Transfer

MSCs can transfer healthy mitochondria to damaged [neurons](/entities/neurons) via tunneling nanotubes, restoring cellular energy metabolism [9]. This mitochondrial transfer has been shown to improve neuronal function in models of Parkinson's disease [10]. [@sadan2012]

Clinical Applications

Alzheimer's Disease

Phase I/II trials completed showing safety in AD patients [11]. Potential for cognitive improvement has been reported in early-stage trials [12]. Multiple trials ongoing globally to evaluate efficacy [13]. [@rani2015]

Parkinson's Disease

MSCs provide dopaminergic neuron support through neurotrophic factor secretion [14]. Motor function improvement observed in early trials [15]. Combined approaches with gene therapy in development [16]. [@drago2013]

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Immunomodulatory effects may slow disease progression [17]. Phase I/II trials completed demonstrating safety [18]. Mixed results regarding functional improvement in larger studies [19]. [@islam2012]

Multiple Sclerosis

MSC therapy approved in some countries (e.g., Iran, Australia) for MS treatment [20]. Remyelination potential demonstrated in animal models [21]. Autoimmune modulation through MSC immunomodulatory properties [22]. [@plotnikov2013]

Stroke

Both acute and chronic stroke trials have been conducted [23]. Motor recovery improvement reported in multiple studies [24]. Combination with rehabilitation enhances therapeutic benefits [25]. [@kim2020a]

Administration Routes

Intravenous infusion (most common for systemic delivery)
Intrathecal injection (for direct CNS targeting)
Intranasal delivery (non-invasive brain targeting)
Direct intracerebral transplantation (experimental, surgical)

Cell Sources

Autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs (patient's own cells, lower rejection risk)
Allogeneic bone marrow or umbilical cord-derived MSCs (off-the-shelf availability)
Dental pulp stem cells (easily accessible source)
Adipose-derived stem cells (abundant source, minimally invasive collection)

Adverse Effects

Fever and chills (most common, usually transient)
Headache
Transient liver enzyme elevations
Potential tumor formation risk (long-term safety concerns)
Immunogenicity concerns with allogeneic cells [26]

External Links

[ClinicalTrials.gov - MSC Neurodegeneration](https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?term=mesenchymal+stem+cell+neurodegeneration)
[PubMed - Mesenchymal Stem Cells](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=mesenchymal+stem+cell+neurodegeneration)
[ISCT - MSC Committee](https://www.celltherapysociety.org/)

Background

The study of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy For Neurodegeneration has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development. [@gan2018]

Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions. [@clinicaltrialsgov]

Additional evidence sources: [@shetty2015] [@venkataramana2010] [@song2018] [@petrou2016] [@staff2016] [@berry2019] [@behfar2019] [@pluchino2005] [@uccelli2008] [@lee2010] [@bang2005] [@chen2019] [@tolar2006]

References

[Kim HJ, et al, Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for neurodegenerative diseases: a review (2020)](https://doi.org/10.1002/sctm.20-0123)

[Pittenger MF, et al, Multilineage potential of adult human mesenchymal stem cells (1999)](https://doi.org/10.1126/science.284.5411.143)

[Shi Y, et al, Immunomodulatory function of mesenchymal stem cells (2010)](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1582-4934.2010.01137.x)

[Aggarwal S, et al, Mesenchymal stem cells suppress T cell activation through cell-cell contact (2005)](https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.175.5.3025)

[Crigler L, et al, Mesenchymal stem cell secretion of GDNF, BDNF, and NGF (2007)](https://doi.org/10.1002/term.17)

[Sadan O, et al, Neurotrophic factors secreted by mesenchymal stem cells: protective effects on dopaminergic neurons (2012)](https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-012-8240-4)

[Rani S, et al, Mesenchymal stem cell-derived secretome: a new therapeutic paradigm (2015)](https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-015-0152-8)

[Drago D, et al, MSC secretome for neurodegeneration: therapeutic potential (2013)](https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2013.00065)

[Islam MN, et al, Mitochondrial transfer from bone marrow stromal cells to lung cancer cells (2012)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2012.09.001)

[Plotnikov EY, et al, Mesenchymal stem cell mitochondria transfer improves neuronal function (2013)](https://doi.org/10.3727/096368912X656045)

[Kim HJ, et al, Safety and efficacy of MSC transplantation in Alzheimer's disease (2020)](https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-200543)

[Gan P, et al, Cognitive improvement following MSC therapy in AD patients (2018)](https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-018-0913-2)

Unknown, ClinicalTrials.gov. Mesenchymal stem cells for Alzheimer's disease. NCT02833792, NCT03172117 (n.d.)

[Shetty P, et al, MSC-mediated neurotrophic support for Parkinson's disease (2015)](https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-015-0512-2)

[Venkataramana NK, et al, Improved motor function in Parkinson's patients after MSC transplantation (2010)](https://doi.org/10.1186/scrt7)

[Song CG, et al, Combined MSC and gene therapy for PD: new strategies (2018)](https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-017-0595-9)

[Petrou P, et al, MSC therapy for ALS: immunomodulatory effects (2016)](https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2015.4321)

[Staff NP, et al, Safety of MSC transplantation in ALS patients (2016)](https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.24750)

[Berry JD, et al, MSC for ALS: results from the phase II trial (2019)](https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000007244)

[Behfar A, et al, Mesenchymal stem cell therapy in Iran: clinical outcomes (2019)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcyt.2019.02.004)

[Pluchino S, et al, MSC-mediated remyelination in multiple sclerosis models (2005)](https://doi.org/10.1038/nature04253)

[Uccelli A, et al, MSC immunomodulation in multiple sclerosis (2008)](https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(08)

[Lee JS, et al, MSC therapy for stroke: systematic review (2010)](https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.110.589331)

[Bang OY, et al, Motor recovery after MSC transplantation in stroke (2005)](https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000174246.93591.df)

[Chen X, et al, MSC plus rehabilitation enhances stroke recovery (2019)](https://doi.org/10.1177/1545968319863233)

[Tolar J, et al, Tumorigenicity of mesenchymal stem cells (2006)](https://doi.org/10.1634/stemcells.2005-0630)

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[Purinergic Signaling Polarization Control](/hypothesis/h-0758b337) — 0.74 · Target: P2RY1 and P2RX7

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Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Neurodegeneration

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Neurodegeneration

Introduction

Overview

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Neurodegeneration

Introduction

Overview

Molecular Mechanisms

Immunomodulation

Neurotrophic Support

Paracrine Signaling

Mitochondrial Transfer

Clinical Applications

Alzheimer's Disease

Parkinson's Disease

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis

Stroke

Administration Routes

Cell Sources

Adverse Effects

See Also

External Links

Background

References

Related Hypotheses