Recent Update On Mesenchymal Stem Cells

This book is a comprehensive overview of the recent developments in the clinical and research fields of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). It is divided into three main sections that cover a wide range of topics including sources and functions of MSCs, their therapeutic applications, their role in tissue engineering, and the application of pharmacologic intelligence in research and development of MSCs.

This book represents an updated overview on selected topics related to mesenchymal stem cells as well as induced pluripotent stem cells. The book is divided into three main sections that cover several topics including: sources of both stem cell types, their preparation and general properties, as well as their therapeutic indications and clinical utilization with particular attention given to their use in infectious diseases, osteoarthritis, as well as immunological disorders.

Over the past decade, significant efforts have been made to develop stem cell-based therapies for difficult to treat diseases. Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells, also referred to as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), appear to hold great promise in regards to a regenerative cell-based therapy for the treatment of these diseases. Currently, more than 200 clinical trials are underway worldwide exploring the use of MSCs for the treatment of a wide range of disorders including bone, cartilage and tendon damage, myocardial infarction, graft-versus-host disease, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, critical limb ischemia and many others. MSCs were first identified by Friendenstein and colleagues as an adherent stromal cell population within the bone marrow with the ability to form clonogenic colonies in vitro. In regards to the basic biology associated with MSCs, there has been tremendous progress towards understanding this cell population’s phenotype and function from a range of tissue sources. Despite enormous progress and an overall increased understanding of MSCs at the molecular and cellular level, several critical questions remain to be answered in regards to the use of these cells in therapeutic applications. Clinically, both autologous and allogenic approaches for the transplantation of MSCs are being explored. Several of the processing steps needed for the clinical application of MSCs, including isolation from various tissues, scalable in vitro expansion, cell banking, dose preparation, quality control parameters, delivery methods and numerous others are being extensively studied. Despite a significant number of ongoing clinical trials, none of the current therapeutic approaches have, at this point, become a standard of care treatment. Although exceptionally promising, the clinical translation of MSC-based therapies is still a work in progress. The extensive number of ongoing clinical trials is expected to provide a clearer path forward for the realization and implementation of MSCs in regenerative medicine. Towards this end, reviews of current clinical trial results and discussions of relevant topics association with the clinical application of MSCs are compiled in this book from some of the leading researchers in this exciting and rapidly advancing field. Although not absolutely all-inclusive, we hope the chapters within this book can promote and enable a better understanding of the translation of MSCs from bench-to-bedside and inspire researchers to further explore this promising and quickly evolving field.

This book is a unique guide to emerging stem cell technologies and the opportunities for their commercialisation. It provides in-depth analyses of the science, business, legal, and financing fundamentals of stem cell technologies, offering a holistic assessment of this emerging and dynamic segment of the field of regenerative medicine. • Reviews the very latest advances in the technology and business of stem cells used for therapy, research, and diagnostics • Identifies key challenges to the commercialisation of stem cell technology and avenues to overcome problems in the pipeline • Written by an expert team with extensive experience in the business, basic and applied science of stem cell research This comprehensive volume is essential reading for researchers in cell biology, biotechnology, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering, including scientists and professionals, looking to enter commercial biotechnology fields.

This book covers our current understanding of the role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and other mesenchymal progenitors in skeletal regeneration, encompassing bone, cartilage and whole joint regeneration. The expansion reflects developments in the field to include data on the use of MSCs in drug development, growth factors, scaffolds and biomechanical manipulations for skeletal trauma and diseases, including osteoporosis and arthritis. Written for an audience of clinicians and young researchers who are exposed to MSCs in their work, this work summarizes recent findings pertaining to the definition and characterization of MSCs in skeletal tissues and discusses the mechanisms of their actions in regeneration of bone in vivo. The authors describe recent findings pertaining to the efficacy of MSC therapies in animal models and in human clinical trials and bring together literature showing that the ways MSCs are extracted, expanded and implanted can considerably affect bone formation outcomes. Finally, it presents the latest knowledge on the nature of native MSCs in skeletal tissues, which provide a platform for novel in situ tissue regeneration approaches for systemic bone disease such as osteoporosis. Focuses specifically on the use of stem cells in skeletal tissue generation for a broad audience of stem cell, cancer, and bone biologists, orthopedists, oncologists, and regenerative medicine specialists Provides a short historical ‘detour’ and foundational information on founding concepts, discoveries and personalities in MSC research Assists a new generation of scientists and clinicians in digesting the multitude of journal articles on the topic by providing easily-absorbed and condensed foundational context

Stem cell and regenerative medicine research is a hot area of research which promises to change the face of medicine as it will be practiced in the years to come. Challenges in the 21st century to combat diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer and related diseases may well be addressed employing stem cell therapies and tissue regeneration. Frontiers in Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research is essential reading for researchers seeking updates in stem cell therapeutics and regenerative medicine. The third volume of this series features reviews on the use of stem cells in bone repair, neonatal brain injury and esophageal tissue engineering. The volume also features an update on current knowledge on regenerative medicine for lung tissue in pulmonary disease.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Biological Concepts, Current Advances, Opportunities and Challenges systematically summarizes and discusses the basic concepts and latest updates of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the past 60 years, as well as the latest progress of clinical translational research and regulatory policy at home and abroad, which will be of great practical significance for promoting and guiding the future development of stem cell production and regenerative medicine. Systematically introduces the latest updates on Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), helping readers have a systematic understanding of MSCs Summarizes knowledge on MSC-based cytotherapy in clinical practice to benefit clinicians and help them design MSC-relevant clinical trials Introduces newly developed concepts of MSC-based tissue engineering

The fourth volume in this series is a proceedings volume based on papers presented at the 5th Innovations in Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Research conference. Chapters are written by some of the most innovative minds in stem cell and tissue engineering research, and provide a comprehensive overview of papers from the most recent conference. The volume addresses tissue engineering principles and applications, including current trends and challenges, as well as future directions. Cutting edge topics of interest include production of functional tissues, vascularization and immune responses, and functionalization of scaffolds. Volumes in this series are invaluable resources for active researchers, clinicians, and professionals in industry, as well as students across a broad range of fields.