Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) represent suitable candidates for regenerative medicine purposes given their ability to differentiate in several cellular lineages, to migrate to site of injury, to secrete soluble factors crucial for cell survival and proliferation, as well as to modulate immune response. Although the exact mechanisms of action are still under investigation, several MSC- based clinical trials developed for various diseases, including organ injuries, systemic diseases, chronic inflammatory and autoimmune pathologies are ongoing. Recently, the possibility of using less immunogenic and more specific MSC by-products (i.e. microvesicles and exosomes) to overcome MSC transplantation criticisms and side effects is currently under consideration.
Keywords: Acute Kidney Injury, Alzheimer’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Cell-free therapy, Exosomes, Extracellular vesicles (EVs), Genetic engineering, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), Microvesicles, Multiple sclerosis, Myocardial Infarction, MSC Clinical Trials, Neurodegenerative diseases, Osteoarthritis, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Paracrine effects, Parkinson’s disease, Regenerative medicine, Stem cell therapy, Wound Healing.