Stem Cell Therapy for Autoimmune Diseases—Second Edition

Dear Colleagues,

This is the expanded second edition of ‘Stem Cell Therapy for Autoimmune Diseases’, the first edition of which led to the publication of eight papers.

Currently, autoimmune diseases (ADs) affect approximately 3–5% of the world's population, encompassing over 150 different types, and these numbers continue to rise. Within the multifactorial etiology of chronic and self-perpetuating ADs with prominent inflammation, failure of self-tolerance and aberrant immune regulation seem to be especially deleterious. Thus, the basic therapeutic goal in ADs is to achieve immune homeostasis, i.e., the state of dynamic equilibrium, achieving a balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory responses. Though treatment strategies have improved thanks to significant advances in our knowledge of AD pathogenesis, in some patients (mainly those with refractory diseases), traditional immunosuppressive drugs fail to prevent relapses. Furthermore, with long-term administration, harmful adverse effects, such as an increased risk of infection and susceptibility to tumors, may arise. Therefore, as part of personalized medicine in ADs, the development of more specific and tolerable therapeutic options is required. Over the past two decades, stem cell (SC) therapy, involving allogeneic or autologous hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), has been regarded as a promising alternative approach. Besides repairing damaged tissues, SCs have the unique ability to modulate the immune system extensively in terms of immune reconstitution and overcoming the impaired self-tolerance status. In addition, MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (secretomes) play an important role in the regulation of innate and adaptive immune reactions as well. Because of these activities, SCs could serve as ideal therapeutic agents with the potential to offer long-lasting, sustained protection against autoimmunity. However, in the context of human ADs, most SC treatment methods are still in early stages, necessitating further studies before widespread clinical application can be expected. The purpose of this Special Issue is to discuss current trends of different stem cell-based therapy options in ADs, including their advantages, disadvantages, and obstacles, from a broad perspective of basic research and clinical practice.

Dr. Györgyi Műzes
Dr. Ferenc Sipos
Guest Editors

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• autoimmune disease
• stem cell therapy
• hematopoietic stem cells
• mesenchymal stem cells
• MSC-derived secretome

• Stem Cell Therapy for Autoimmune Diseases in Cells (8 articles)