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How Mesenchymal Stem Cells Can Help With Neurological Conditions

Last month, we published a blog outlining the science behind using Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) for Multiple Sclerosis. 

With April being Parkinson’s Awareness Month, it’s only fitting that we provide a similar breakdown of the science behind MSCs and Parkinson’s disease, but why stop there?

Mesenchymal Stem Cells are one of the most sought-out types of stem cells for research into regenerative medicine, with potential applications across various neurological disorders or injuries. 

A recent scientific review outlined many studies which were conducted to determine the effect of MSCs on certain neurological disorders. We wanted to share details from this review while discussing how MSCs could be used for neurological disorders like:

• Parkinson’s disease
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Stroke
• Alzheimer’s disease

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)

Neurological disorders are becoming a growing burden as society ages, and there is a compelling need to address this spiraling problem. Stem cell-based regenerative medicine is becoming an increasingly attractive approach to designing therapies for such disorders. The unique characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) make them among the most sought-after cell sources. (Andrzejewska et al., 2021)

Before going into the specific conditions, it’s important to explain what MSCs are and why scientists are so interested in them.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells are unique, naturally occurring types of stem cells that are known to have immunomodulating and regenerative properties that, among other things, could be useful in therapeutic applications for a variety of neurological disorders. 

Immunomodulation

MSCs are known to possess immunomodulating properties, which means they can help inhibit the appearance and activation of the specific immune cells known to cause inflammation.

Among these properties is the MSCs’ ability to travel to points of inflammation in the body and secrete factors that signal the surrounding cells to ease up on their inflammatory response – meaning MSCs can actively search for points of inflammation in the body and help put a stop to it.

Regenerative Properties

MSCs secrete a collection of growth and trophic factors that, among other things, promote cell protection and differentiation (growth) of certain cell types.

MSCs are also known to promote angiogenesis, which is the formation of new blood vessels. 

Parkinson’s Disease (PD)

PD is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the gradual loss of dopamine-producing cells from a region of the brain called the substantia nigra.

As dopamine levels decline, the brain becomes less able to regulate muscle movement throughout the body – resulting in problems like shakiness, rigidity, instability, slowness of movement, and difficulty walking.

With all that in mind, can Mesenchymal Stem Cells be used to help those suffering from PD?

In the context of the referred studies, MSC application for PD treatment significantly improves motor behavior in animal models of the disease. It was shown that MSCs survive in the transplanted area for a couple of weeks after IC infusion in rodent models of PD. Exogenous MSCs secrete a broad spectrum of factors that reveal immunomodulatory properties, inhibit apoptosis, promote neuronal survival, and differentiate PD mice and rats. (Andrzejewska et al., 2021)

As the review points out, MSCs used in animal models have been associated with elevated dopamine levels, decreased inflammation, and improved motor function in patients with PD. 

In certain studies, MSCs were shown to enhance the development of new and existing neurons, which may have contributed to the reported increase in dopamine levels.

Inflammation also plays a significant role in how Parkinson’s damages the brain, so the MSCs’ ability to reduce inflammation could go a long way in helping to protect the dopamine-producing cells.

Beyond animal models, Celltex has collected data based on the results of our clients with Parkinson’s disease. Overall, 81% of the surveyed clients noticed improvements in at least one survey method. You can request a copy of these results here.

While they don’t represent a potential cure for PD, MSCs do present a potential avenue for alleviating symptoms and further maintaining quality of life for individuals with PD.

Interested in more Parkinson’s content? Watch our recent “Stem Cell Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease” webinar with special guest Coach Mark Richt. 

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

TBI is often caused by a forceful blow to the head or body, leading to swelling near the brain that can cause a variety of short and long-term neurological issues. 

Currently, there is no single conventional treatment that reliably improves functional recovery following a TBI, highlighting the need for research into regenerative medicine options like MSC therapy. 

So, what does the review say about using MSCs for TBI?

In summary, the results of experimental and clinical studies demonstrate that transplantation of MSCs in TBI recipients enhances neural tissue repair by stimulation of neurogenesis, angiogenesis, maturation of newborn neurons and their neuroprotection, and modulation of the inflammatory processes in the injured brain. It improves cognitive and motor functional recovery and reduces brain tissue damage in TBI disorders. (Andrzejewska et al., 2021)

MSCs are known to have regenerative properties that could encourage the repair of brain tissue following a TBI. However, where MSCs really shine here is in their remarkable ability to reduce inflammation. 

Inflammation significantly contributes to the damage seen in TBI, as swelling in the brain following the injury often causes additional cell death.

Preclinical studies are showing more and more how MSCs can inhibit the appearance and activation of the specific immune cells known to cause inflammation, making them a strong candidate for addressing the swelling in the brain following a TBI. 

According to the review, MSC therapy has been shown to improve cognitive and motor function recovery, as well as reduce the damage done to the brain, following a TBI. 

Want to know more about MSCs and TBI? Watch our “Combating the Effects of TBI” webinar.

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries can lead to debilitating issues due to the disruption of the neural motor and sensory tracts that can often result in permanent disability. There is a clear need for treatments that can help reduce disruption to axons and blood vessels while encouraging the body’s natural regeneration process following an SCI. 

Can MSCs help with SCI?

MSC transplantation positively affected motor function, including improving upper limb motility and sensation within the damaged area in people with tetraplegia confirmed by neurophysiological studies. Relative to rehabilitation therapy, a reduction in neuropathic pain and sensory and bladder function improvements were reported. In many categories, the patients’ condition was reclassified from severe to moderately severe and from moderately severe to mild, respectively. (Andrzejewska et al., 2021)

The review points to several preclinical studies that showed how MSCs were able to reduce inflammation and encourage nerve regeneration in animal models.

Clinical studies have already demonstrated positive results using MSCs for SCIs in humans, with MSCs shown to reduce inflammation, improve motor and sensory function, and even reduce neuropathic pain.

In many cases, patients often improved enough to have their conditions reclassified from severe to moderately severe, or from moderately severe to mild. 

While these results are promising, further studies on MSCs and SCIs are still needed.

Stroke

The most common type of stroke is an ischemic stroke, which occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted or reduced, usually by a blood clot. 

The impact of an ischemic stroke can range from a mild decrease in mobility to a more severe disability.  

Current conventional treatment for ischemic strokes is categorized by an extremely narrow therapeutic window, meaning an individual needs to receive treatment in as little as four hours for the treatment to be effective. 

This narrow therapeutic window means that only a small percentage of those that experience an ischemic stroke will be able to benefit from conventional treatment, warranting research into alternative treatment methods. 

Are MSCs a potentially viable alternative for addressing ischemic strokes?

Among different types of stem cells, MSCs seem to offer the best prospects for stroke therapy. MSCs have been extensively investigated as a treatment in a variety of animal models of subacute, acute, or chronic stroke because of their neuroprotective and neurogenic potential and immunomodulatory function. (Andrzejewska et al., 2021)

During both the acute and chronic phases of a stroke, inflammation can substantially increase the damage done to the surrounding brain tissue, making the anti-inflammatory properties of MSCs an attractive target for stroke therapy research. 

Studies have also shown a reduction in areas of lesions following MSC infusions in stroke victims, pointing to MSCs’ neuroprotective factors also being helpful in cases of stroke.

MSCs also promote angiogenesis, or the formation of new blood vessels, which could be helpful in cases where a stroke causes damage to the nearby vascular cells. Improved blood flow allows for the delivery of oxygen and nutrients essential for recovery following a stroke.

The review mentions that over twenty-seven clinical trials involving MSCs for stroke therapy have been established, with one showing a “reduction in mortality within five years of stroke incidence” for patients who received MSCs following a stroke (Andrzejewska et al., 2021).

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)

Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative condition categorized by the formation of plaques and tangles in the brain, causing the progressive loss of memory and cognitive function. 

While scientists are still piecing together the inner workings of this complex disease, it’s been established that neuro-inflammation can play a significant role in Alzheimer’s. 

With that in mind, MSCs could help regulate the inflammation associated with Alzheimer’s thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties.

It has been revealed that MSC infusion can change the inflammatory effect in AD animal models. Significant reduction in microglial activation in mouse mice cortexes and decreased expression of proinflammatory factors, i.e., TNF-α, IL-6, Macrophage chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, was observed in MSC recipients. (Andrzejewska et al., 2021)

Preclinical studies have shown MSC therapy improving cognitive impairment in animal models of AD by changing the inflammatory effect associated with AD.

That being said, there’s still a lot of research to be done for MSCs and Alzheimer’s, but the anti-inflammatory properties of MSCs are thought to show promise toward improving symptoms for those with AD.  

Multiple clinical trials for MSCs in patients with AD have been registered, with many demonstrating MSC therapy has a positive effect on the symptoms of those with AD.

While more research still needs to be done, the trials studying MSCs therapy for AD have thus far shown MSC therapy “to be feasible and safe without serious complications.”

That does it for our rundown of the research behind using MSCs for neurological disorders like Parkinson’s, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Alzheimer’s, and more. 

The neurological disorders we discussed in this article are by no means an exhaustive list. Mesenchymal Stem Cells are one of the more promising types of stem cells for regenerative medicine research for a reason, and the list of diseases and disorders MSCs could potentially help with is too long to cover in a single blog post. 

If you’d like to know more about whether MSCs could be helpful for a particular disorder, you can read more on our Conditions, Disorders & Diseases page.

If you’re curious about a specific disorder not mentioned on our website, or just want to learn more, you can always fill out our request info form. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have.  

This article drew heavily from a scientific review authored by Anna Andrzejewska, Sylwia Dabrowska, Barbara Lukomska, and Miroslaw Janowski. You can read the full review, titled “Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Neurological Disorders,” here.

References:

Andrzejewska, A., Dabrowska, S., Lukomska, B., Janowski, M., Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Neurological Disorders. Adv. Sci. 2021, 8, 2002944. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202002944

About Celltex

Celltex Therapeutics Corporation is an international leader in cryopreservation, or banking, and culturing of autologous, adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) for therapeutic use and has remained committed to improving and maintaining clients’ quality of life. Celltex has the unique ability to do what no one else can: isolate, expand and cryopreserve your own MSCs to create your master cell bank, all from one small sample of your adipose tissue. This bank of MSCs can then be used to produce hundreds of millions of clinical-grade, genetically stable MSCs that are available for therapeutic use. To learn more about Celltex, visit www.celltexbank.com

Post Tags: adult stem cell therapy, alzheimer, chronic illness, Parkinson's disease, Research