Stem cells and COVID-19: are the human amniotic cells a new hope for therapies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus?

Abstract

A new coronavirus respiratory disease (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, surprised the entire world, producing social, economic, and health problems. The COVID-19 triggers a lung infection with a multiple proinflammatory cytokine storm in severe patients. Without effective and safe treatments, COVID-19 has killed thousands of people, becoming a pandemic. Stem cells have been suggested as a therapy for lung-related diseases. In particular, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been successfully tested in some clinical trials in patients with COVID-19. The encouraging results positioned MSCs as a possible cell therapy for COVID-19. The amniotic membrane from the human placenta at term is a valuable stem cell source, including human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) and human mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSCs). Interestingly, amnion cells have immunoregulatory, regenerative, and anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, hAECs and hAMSCs have been used both in preclinical studies and in clinical trials against respiratory diseases. They have reduced the inflammatory response and restored the pulmonary tissue architecture in lung injury in vivo models. Here, we review the existing data about the stem cells use for COVID-19 treatment, including the ongoing clinical trials. We also consider the non-cellular therapies that are being applied. Finally, we discuss the human amniotic membrane cells use in patients who suffer from immune/inflammatory lung diseases and hypothesize their possible use as a successful treatment against COVID-19.

Cell therapy strategies for COVID-19: Current approaches and potential applications

“…Cell sourcing for MSC trials includes the umbilical cord, placenta, adipose tissue, intra-aortic tissue, olfactory mucosa, and the dental pulp (78). More detailed reviews on mechanisms of MSC immunomodulation and potential benefits in COVID-19 have been previously explored (75,(78)(79)(80)(81)(82)(83)(84)(85)(86)(87)(88)(89).…”

Novel and promising approaches in COVID-19 treatment

“…In total, each person in the control group received 200 million stem cells. Also, no side effects from receiving treatment were observed in patients (Figure 3) [38]. [38].…”

“…Stem cells isolated from the human placenta amnion include hAECs and hAMSCs. HAMSCs and hAECs have immunoregulatory, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties[38].…”

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapy as an Alternative to the Treatment of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives

“…In fact, MSC have been identified as an option that are able to control the "cytokine storm" and magnified immune response, as a result of their enhanced cytokine quality production. In addition, MSCs from different organs or donors have been reported to be negative for ACE2 and TMPRSS2, suggesting that MSC are free from COVID-19 infection [78].…”

“…Additionally, at the time of writing this manuscript, there are more than 70 MSC-based clinical trials for COVID-19 registered at the World Health Organization-International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (WHO-ICTRP) (https://www.who.int/clinical-trials-registryplatform, accessed on 17 July 2021) and on the NIH ClinicalTrials.gov website [78]. The largest number of ongoing clinical trials are in China (n = 32) and the USA (n = 18).…”