Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Possibilities of New Treatment Options

Abstract

Stem cell research evolved as a new hope and has gained tremendous interest during the last two decades in developing potential strategies for many debilitating diseases. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are bone marrow-derived multipotent stem cells capable of self-renewal and of differentiating into multiple lineages, such as osteocytes, adipocytes, chondrocytes, myoblasts, cardiomyocytes, and hepatocytes. MSCs are an important source for cellular therapies. They can easily be obtained and expanded in vitro in large numbers without significantly altering their properties. MSCs not only migrate to the injured site in vivo but also have immunomodulatory effects that make their use attractive for allogeneic grafting. MSCs can also be frozen for preservation; and when thawed, they retain their normal physiological function, allowing future ''off-the-shelf'' therapy approaches. Because of these features, MSCs have high therapeutic value in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In this chapter, the contribution of the MSCs to cardiovascular repair and liver regeneration are summarized.