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World J Stem Cells. Apr 26, 2014; 6(2): 111-119
Published online Apr 26, 2014. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i2.111
Progress of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for neural and retinal diseases
Tsz Kin Ng, Veronica R Fortino, Daniel Pelaez, Herman S Cheung
Tsz Kin Ng, Daniel Pelaez, Herman S Cheung, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL 33125, United States
Tsz Kin Ng, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Veronica R Fortino, Herman S Cheung, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
Author contributions: Ng TK, Fortino VR, Pelaez D and Cheung HS solely contributed to this paper
Supported by Veterans Affairs (VA) Merit Review Grant; and Senior VA Research Career Scientist Award, Miami
Correspondence to: Herman S Cheung, PhD, Professor, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1201 NW 16th Street, Miami, FL 33125, United States. hcheung@med.maimi.edu
Telephone: +1-305-5753388 Fax: +1-305-5753365
Received: October 28, 2013
Revised: January 14, 2014
Accepted: March 3, 2014
Published online: April 26, 2014
Abstract

Complex circuitry and limited regenerative power make central nervous system (CNS) disorders the most challenging and difficult for functional repair. With elusive disease mechanisms, traditional surgical and medical interventions merely slow down the progression of the neurodegenerative diseases. However, the number of neurons still diminishes in many patients. Recently, stem cell therapy has been proposed as a viable option. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), a widely-studied human adult stem cell population, have been discovered for more than 20 years. MSCs have been found all over the body and can be conveniently obtained from different accessible tissues: bone marrow, blood, and adipose and dental tissue. MSCs have high proliferative and differentiation abilities, providing an inexhaustible source of neurons and glia for cell replacement therapy. Moreover, MSCs also show neuroprotective effects without any genetic modification or reprogramming. In addition, the extraordinary immunomodulatory properties of MSCs enable autologous and heterologous transplantation. These qualities heighten the clinical applicability of MSCs when dealing with the pathologies of CNS disorders. Here, we summarize the latest progress of MSC experimental research as well as human clinical trials for neural and retinal diseases. This review article will focus on multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, autism, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.

Keywords: Mesenchymal stem cells, Stem cell therapy, Central nervous system, Retina, Clinical trial

Core tip: Central nervous system (CNS) disorders are the most challenging and difficult for functional repair. Neurons are still diminishing in many patients despite surgical and medical interventions. Stem cell therapy has been proposed as a viable option. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) is a widely-studied human adult stem cell population. MSCs can be conveniently obtained from different accessible tissues. MSCs have high proliferative and differentiation abilities, providing an inexhaustible source of neurons and glia. MSCs also show neuroprotective effects and possess extraordinary immunomodulatory properties. These qualities heighten the clinical applicability of MSCs when dealing with the pathologies of CNS disorders.