Rev Neurosci. 2019 Apr 26. pii: /j/revneuro.ahead-of-print/revneuro-2018-0057/revneuro-2018-0057.xml. doi: 10.1515/revneuro-2018-0057. [Epub ahead of print]

The potentials of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Mehdipour A¹, Ebrahimi A², Shiri-Shahsavar MR³, Soleimani-Rad J⁴, Roshangar L^4,5, Samiei M⁶, Ebrahimi-Kalan A^7,8.

Abstract

Stem cell therapy has indicated a promising treatment capacity for tissue regeneration. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune-based chronic disease, in which the myelin sheath of the central nervous system is destructed. Scientists have not discovered any cure for multiple sclerosis, and most of the treatments are rather palliative. The pursuit of a versatile treatment option, therefore, seems essential. The immunoregulatory and non-chronic rejection characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells, as well as their homing properties, recommend them as a prospective treatment option for multiple sclerosis. Different sources of mesenchymal stem cells have distinct characteristics and functional properties; in this regard, choosing the most suitable cell therapy approach seems to be challenging. In this review, we will discuss umbilical cord/blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells, their identified exclusive properties compared to another adult mesenchymal stem cells, and the expectations of their potential roles in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.