Potential use of mesenchymal stem cells in regenerative medicines: a review

Abstract

The utilization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) in biomedicine has expanded dramatically over the past 50 years. MSCs are a diverse group of cells, extracted from fat, synovium and bone marrow with the ability to self-renew and differentiate into several types and thus can be utilized for various biomedical applications. As MSCs do not express major histocompatibility complexes or immune-stimulating molecules, they are not detected by the immune surveillance system within a host body which prevents graft rejection after transplantation, thus making MSCs an ideal candidate to be used as regenerative medicine. Unlike therapeutic approaches that deliver a single agent at a fixed dose, MSCs produce bioactive chemicals and impulses that are site controlled, adding to their advantage to be used for tissue engineering. More than 950 clinical trials are currently examining the potential medical benefits of MSCs for various biomedical purposes, including regenerative medicine. Development of new approaches to comprehend and unleash the potential of MSCs, as well as new delivery modalities and patient selection, should lead to significant breakthroughs in the future years and more therapeutic opportunities for MSCs in the field of regenerative medicine. The present review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the preclinical and clinical applications of MSCs in regenerative medicine and further discuss the challenges associated with developing MSCs for regenerative medicine with future prospects.