Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Role in Neurodegenerative Diseases

A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Stem Cells".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 8012

Special Issue Editors

Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Environmental Pathology, Rieti, “Sabina Universitas”, 02100 Rieti, Italy
Interests: mesenchymal stem cells; regenerative medicine; neural differentiation of stem cells; cellular prion protein
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Interests: dental pulp stem cell; mesenchymal stem cells; tissue regeneration; angiogenesis; revascularization; dental pulp organoids
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are Adult Stem cells (ASCs) discovered and characterized for the first time in the bone marrow stroma and therefore called "Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells" (BMMSCs). They can be found in many tissues such as bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord, and dental pulp. They differentiate into cells of mesodermal origin such as adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteocytes, as well as in cells belonging to other embryonic layers. In fact, it is known that MSCs possess a greater degree of plasticity than other populations of ASCs and that they can differentiate in vitro even in non-mesodermal cell lines such as neurons and astrocytes. Therefore, they are promising targets in regenerative–reparative medicine, cell therapy, and tissue engineering. The main objective of this Special Issue is to collect works concerning the capabilities of MSCs and related conditioned media (CM) in neurodegenerative diseases. In fact, several studies have shown that MSCs secrete growth factors, exosomes, and inflammation mediators by which they exert paracrine/autocrine effects and express their immunoregulatory properties. Furthermore, the focus should be on the use of MSCs in the recovery of neurodegenerative diseases, a wide class of diseases characterized by progressive neuronal death leading to debilitating neurological impairments, such as Huntington's disease (HD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Dr. Vincenzo Mattei
Prof. Dr. Simona Delle Monache
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • mesenchymal stem cells
  • conditioned media
  • dental pulp stem cells
  • adipose stem cells
  • bone marrow stem cells
  • Wharton's jelly stem cells
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • neurodegenerative disease
  • regenerative medicine
  • neural organoids

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Review

17 pages, 2270 KiB  
Review
Potential Therapeutic Use of Stem Cells for Prion Diseases
by Mohammed Zayed, Sung-Ho Kook and Byung-Hoon Jeong
Cells 2023, 12(19), 2413; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12192413 - 07 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1353
Abstract
Prion diseases are neurodegenerative disorders that are progressive, incurable, and deadly. The prion consists of PrPSc, the misfolded pathogenic isoform of the cellular prion protein (PrPC). PrPC is involved in a variety of physiological functions, including cellular proliferation, [...] Read more.
Prion diseases are neurodegenerative disorders that are progressive, incurable, and deadly. The prion consists of PrPSc, the misfolded pathogenic isoform of the cellular prion protein (PrPC). PrPC is involved in a variety of physiological functions, including cellular proliferation, adhesion, differentiation, and neural development. Prion protein is expressed on the membrane surface of a variety of stem cells (SCs), where it plays an important role in the pluripotency and self-renewal matrix, as well as in SC differentiation. SCs have been found to multiply the pathogenic form of the prion protein, implying their potential as an in vitro model for prion diseases. Furthermore, due to their capability to self-renew, differentiate, immunomodulate, and regenerate tissue, SCs are prospective cell treatments in many neurodegenerative conditions, including prion diseases. Regenerative medicine has become a new revolution in disease treatment in recent years, particularly with the introduction of SC therapy. Here, we review the data demonstrating prion diseases’ biology and molecular mechanism. SC biology, therapeutic potential, and its role in understanding prion disease mechanisms are highlighted. Moreover, we summarize preclinical studies that use SCs in prion diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Role in Neurodegenerative Diseases)
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16 pages, 571 KiB  
Review
The Importance of Stem Cells Isolated from Human Dental Pulp and Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth as Therapeutic Approach in Nervous System Pathologies
by Niccolò Candelise, Francesca Santilli, Jessica Fabrizi, Daniela Caissutti, Zaira Spinello, Camilla Moliterni, Loreto Lancia, Simona Delle Monache, Vincenzo Mattei and Roberta Misasi
Cells 2023, 12(13), 1686; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12131686 - 22 Jun 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1688
Abstract
Despite decades of research, no therapies are available to halt or slow down the course of neuro-degenerative disorders. Most of the drugs developed to fight neurodegeneration are aimed to alleviate symptoms, but none has proven adequate in altering the course of the pathologies. [...] Read more.
Despite decades of research, no therapies are available to halt or slow down the course of neuro-degenerative disorders. Most of the drugs developed to fight neurodegeneration are aimed to alleviate symptoms, but none has proven adequate in altering the course of the pathologies. Cell therapy has emerged as an intriguing alternative to the classical pharmacological approach. Cell therapy consists of the transplantation of stem cells that can be obtained from various embryonal and adult tissues. Whereas the former holds notable ethical issue, adult somatic stem cells can be obtained without major concerns. However, most adult stem cells, such as those derived from the bone marrow, are committed toward the mesodermal lineage, and hence need to be reprogrammed to induce the differentiation into the neurons. The discovery of neural crest stem cells in the dental pulp, both in adults’ molar and in baby teeth (dental pulp stem cells and stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth, respectively) prompted researchers to investigate their utility as therapy in nervous system disorders. In this review, we recapitulate the advancements on the application of these stem cells in preclinical models of neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting differences and analogies in their maintenance, differentiation, and potential clinical application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Role in Neurodegenerative Diseases)
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20 pages, 737 KiB  
Review
Bone Tissue and the Nervous System: What Do They Have in Common?
by Arianna Minoia, Luca Dalle Carbonare, Jens Christian Schwamborn, Silvia Bolognin and Maria Teresa Valenti
Cells 2023, 12(1), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12010051 - 22 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2174
Abstract
Degenerative diseases affecting bone tissues and the brain represent important problems with high socio-economic impact. Certain bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, are considered risk factors for the progression of neurological disorders. Often, patients with neurodegenerative diseases have bone fractures or reduced mobility linked [...] Read more.
Degenerative diseases affecting bone tissues and the brain represent important problems with high socio-economic impact. Certain bone diseases, such as osteoporosis, are considered risk factors for the progression of neurological disorders. Often, patients with neurodegenerative diseases have bone fractures or reduced mobility linked to osteoarthritis. The bone is a dynamic tissue involved not only in movement but also in the maintenance of mineral metabolism. Bone is also associated with the generation of both hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), and thus the generation of the immune system, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Bone marrow is a lymphoid organ and contains MSCs and HSCs, both of which are involved in brain health via the production of cytokines with endocrine functions. Hence, it seems clear that bone is involved in the regulation of the neuronal system and vice versa. This review summarizes the recent knowledge on the interactions between the nervous system and bone and highlights the importance of the interaction between nerve and bone cells. In addition, experimental models that study the interaction between nerve and skeletal cells are discussed, and innovative models are suggested to better evaluate the molecular interactions between these two cell types. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Role in Neurodegenerative Diseases)
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29 pages, 846 KiB  
Review
Therapeutic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Epilepsy and Their Interaction with Antiseizure Medications
by Maryam Rahimi Tesiye, Mohammad Gol, Mohammad Rajabi Fadardi, Seyede Nasim Mousavi Kani, Anna-Maria Costa, Maryam Ghasemi-Kasman and Giuseppe Biagini
Cells 2022, 11(24), 4129; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11244129 - 19 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2147
Abstract
Epilepsy is a life-threatening neurological disease that affects approximately 70 million people worldwide. Although the vast majority of patients may be successfully managed with currently used antiseizure medication (ASM), the search for alternative therapies is still necessary due to pharmacoresistance in about 30% [...] Read more.
Epilepsy is a life-threatening neurological disease that affects approximately 70 million people worldwide. Although the vast majority of patients may be successfully managed with currently used antiseizure medication (ASM), the search for alternative therapies is still necessary due to pharmacoresistance in about 30% of patients with epilepsy. Here, we review the effects of ASMs on stem cell treatment when they could be, as expected, co-administered. Indeed, it has been reported that ASMs produce significant effects on the differentiation and determination of stem cell fate. In addition, we discuss more recent findings on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in pre-clinical and clinical investigations. In this regard, their ability to differentiate into various cell types, reach damaged tissues and produce and release biologically active molecules with immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties make them a high-potential therapeutic tool to address neuroinflammation in different neurological disorders, including epilepsy. Overall, the characteristics of MSCs to be genetically engineered, in order to replace dysfunctional elements with the aim of restoring normal tissue functioning, suggested that these cells could be good candidates for the treatment of epilepsy refractory to ASMs. Further research is required to understand the potential of stem cell treatment in epileptic patients and its interaction with ASMs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Role in Neurodegenerative Diseases)
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