Curr Stem Cell Rep. 2018;4(1):61-68. doi: 10.1007/s40778-018-0118-8. Epub 2018 Feb 15.

Fetal Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: an Opportunity for Prenatal Cellular Therapy.

Sagar R¹, Walther-Jallow L², David AL^1,3, Götherström C², Westgren M².

Abstract

Purpose of Review:

The aim of the study is to provide an overview on the possibility of treating congenital disorders prenatally with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs).

Recent Findings:

MSCs have multilineage potential and a low immunogenic profile and are immunomodulatory and more easy to expand in culture. Their ability to migrate, engraft and differentiate, or act via a paracrine effect on target tissues makes MSCs candidates for clinical therapies. Fetal and extra-fetal MSCs offer higher therapeutic potential compared to MSCs derived from adult sources.

Summary:

MSCs may be safely transplanted prenatally via ultrasound-guided injection into the umbilical cord. Due to these characteristics, fetal MSCs are of great interest in the field of in utero stem cell transplantation for treatment of congenital disease.