Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Regenerative Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology with a high rate of disability. Traditional treatments for RA remain a challenging issue. For example, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have no therapeutic effects on joint destruction, and the prominent side effects include gastrointestinal symptoms. RA is characterized by recurrence and bone attrition. Therefore, regenerative medicine and the use of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (UC-MSC) therapies have recently emerged as potential options. UC-MSCs are multifunctional stem cells that are present in neonatal umbilical cord tissue and can differentiate into many kinds of cells, which have broad clinical application prospects in the tissue engineering of bone, cartilage, muscle, tendon, ligament, nerve, liver, endothelium, and myocardium. Moreover, UC-MSCs have advantages, such as convenient collection of materials and no ethical disputes; thus, these cells have attracted increasing attention from researchers. However, there are few clinical studies regarding UC-MSC therapy for RA. In this paper, we will review traditional drugs for RA treatment and then focus on UC-MSC therapy for RA, including preclinical and clinical UC-MSC applications for RA patients in the context of regenerative medicine. Finally, we will summarize the challenges and perspectives of UC-MSCs as a potential therapeutic strategy for RA. This review will help to design and discover more potent and efficacious treatments for RA patients and aid in advancing this class of cell therapy.

Implication of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Derivates for Osteochondral Regeneration

“…In this study, they presented two particularly extraordinary clinical outcomes of two patients, who experienced remission nearly 6 months post-treatment, and have since maintained these positive effects, which enables them free movement and a life free of pain, joint swelling, and deformity [ 40 ]. The same group, provide evidence that UC-MSCs based therapy seem to be efficient and safe to be used in clinical practice [ 59 ].…”

Targeting Brain Tumors with Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Experimental Model of the Orthotopic Glioblastoma in Rats

“…Currently, stem cell-based therapies are one of the most important emerging medical fields indifferent pathophysiological conditions and diseases, such as cardio-vascular diseases [ 26 , 27 , 28 ], autoimmune diseases [ 29 , 30 ], hereditary genetic conditions [ 31 ], and cancer [ 32 , 33 ]. Mesenchymal stem cells have attracted an increased attention as cellular vehicles for cancer therapy due to their low immunogenicity, fast ex vivo expansion, and inherent tumor-tropism and migratory properties.…”

Mesenchymal stem cells and connective tissue diseases: From bench to bedside

“…Recently, dozens of clinical trials on MSCs for RA have been conducted (Table 2) based on the evidence that they can regulate the immune response, stimulate injury repair, and reduce the inflammatory response, as shown in preclinical studies. [97] The first pilot study of MSCs in RA was reported in 2011. [98] Three patients were infused IV with autologous…”