Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Acute Radiation Syndrome

Abstract

With the extensive utilization of radioactive materials for medical, industrial, agricultural, military, and research purposes, medical researchers are trying to identify new methods to treat acute radiation syndrome (ARS). Radiation may cause injury to different tissues and organs, but no single drug has been proven to be effective in all circumstances. Radioprotective agents are always effective if given before irradiation, but many nuclear accidents are unpredictable. Medical countermeasures that can be beneficial to different organ and tissue injuries caused by radiation are urgently needed. Cellular therapy, especially stem cell therapy, has been a promising approach in ARS. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are the two main kinds of stem cells which show good efficacy in ARS and have attracted great attention from researchers. There are also some limitations that need to be investigated in future studies. In recent years, there are also some novel methods of stem cells that could possibly be applied on ARS, like “drug” stem cell banks obtained from clinical grade human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), MSC-derived products, and infusion of HSCs without preconditioning treatment, which make us confident in the future treatment of ARS. This review focuses on major scientific and clinical advances of hematopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stromal cells on ARS.

Radioprotection of deinococcal exopolysaccharide BRD125 by regenerating hematopoietic stem cells

“…Previous studies have shown that after irradiation, rapid regeneration of multi-lineage blood cells from hematopoietic stem cells in the spleen as well as the BM can overcome ARS and ultimately improve survival ( 63 – 65 ). Therefore, we hypothesized that although DeinoPol-BRD125 does not protect the spleen cells from radiation, hematopoietic cells are well protected by DeinoPol-BRD125 after irradiation and migrate to aid in regeneration of spleen cells and peripheral blood cells that have been profoundly damaged by radiation.…”

Exosomes Derived From Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Ameliorate Radiation-Induced Brain Injury by Activating the SIRT1 Pathway

“…A variety of MSCs have shown their potential application prospects in the treatment of radiation-induced injury ( Kiang, 2016 ; Xu T. et al, 2018 ; Qian and Cen, 2020 ). Among these cells, MSCs derived from bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, the placenta and adipose tissue are the representative candidates for stem cell therapy ( Sousa et al, 2014 ).…”

“…A variety of MSCs have shown their potential application prospects in the treatment of radiation-induced injury (Kiang, 2016;Xu T. et al, 2018;Qian and Cen, 2020). Among these FIGURE 4 | Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells inhibited radiation-induced microglial infiltration and promoted the expression of SIRT1 in the hippocampus.…”

The Potential Therapeutic Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Derived Exosomes in Osteoradionecrosis

“…The vascular injury through different mechanisms can also be prevented or even reversed by MSC exosomes. Exosomes play a key role in repairing DNA double-strand breaks and alleviating oxidative damage [ 117 ]. After exposure to MSC exosomes, the apoptosis caused by radiation-induced DNA damage in vascular endothelial cells is reduced [ 118 ].…”