Applications of Mesenchymal Stem Cells: An Updated Review

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be readily isolatedfrom a number of adult and fetal tissues, and have the capacityof expansion in vitro on a clinical scale. Bone marrow MSCsare able to differentiate into multiple cell lineages that resembleosteoblasts, chondrocytes, myoblasts, adipocytes, endothelialcells, neuron-like cells, cardiomyocytes and hepatocytes.Preclinical findings from animal experiments are promisingand have shown that human multipotent MSCs may have considerabletherapeutic potential in a wide variety of human diseases.Research into the role that MSCs play in the inductionof tolerance in bone marrow and organ transplantation holdsgreat for future therapeutic strategies. Clinical trials are underwayto assess the safety, feasibility and efficacy of MSC transplantationin a variety of human diseases. Clinicians need toknow the recent progress and rationale for performing theseclinical studies. As such, this review focuses on the background of MSCs and medicalresearch in this area, bridging bench and bedside applications. Conflicting preclinical resultsand published data from our laboratory are discussed.