Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: signals for hope?

• Published in: Regenerative medicine Vol. 9; no. 5; pp. 637 - 647
• Main Authors: Allers, Carolina, Jones, Janet A, Lasala, Gabriel P, Minguell, José J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Future Medicine Ltd 01.09.2014
• Subjects: ALS; Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - therapy; Care and treatment; Cell Differentiation; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy - trends; cell-based therapy; Clinical Trials as Topic; Health aspects; Humans; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation - trends; mesenchymal stem cells; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - cytology; MSC; Stem cell transplantation; United States; ALS; MSC; cell-based therapy; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; mesenchymal stem cells
• ISSN: 1746-0751; 1746-076X; 1746-076X
• DOI: 10.2217/rme.14.30

Based on the distinctive cellular, molecular and immunomodulatory traits of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), it has been postulated that these cells may play a critical role in regenerative medicine. In addition to the participation of MSC in the repair of mesodermal-derived tissues (bone, cartilage), robust data have suggested that MSC may also play a reparative role in conditions involving damage of cells of ectodermal origin. The above content has been supported by the capability of MSC to differentiate into neuron-like cells as well as by a competence to generate a 'neuroprotective' environment. In turn, several preclinical studies have put forward the concept that MSC therapy may represent an option for the treatment of several neurological disorders and injuries, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We expect that the above foundations, which have inspired this review, may result in the founding of an effective and/or palliative therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.