Hanyang Med Rev.  2012 Aug;32(3):141-144. 10.7599/hmr.2012.32.3.141.

Recent Trends and Strategies in Stem Cell Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease

• Chang JW

• KMID: 1436763
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7599/hmr.2012.32.3.141

Abstract

The human mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) has been regarded as a fascinating candidate of stem cell therapy in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer disease (AD). Recently, many groups reported that mesenchymal stem cell is a robust source, not only of regeneration, but also of secretion of various soluble factors for damaged or lost host cells. Several groups have observed paracrine action of mesenchymal stem cells in transgenic mice models of AD. From non-clinical studies we can conclude that human mesenchymal stem cells could participate in anti-apoptosis, beta-amyloid removal, anti-inflammation and anti-tau aggregation via paracrine action. Based on these findings, several clinical trials have been performed or completed worldwide. Since safety and efficacy have been confirmed from various non-clinical and clinical trials, we can expect emerging use of stem cells for AD in the near future.

Keyword

Alzheimer Disease; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Paracrine

MeSH Terms

Alzheimer Disease
Animals
Humans
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Mice
Mice, Transgenic
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Regeneration
Stem Cells

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Therapeutic effect of hUCB-MSC for AD via paracrine action. When hUCB-MSC enters to microenviroment of AD, hUCB-MSC secretes bunch of proteins which are involved in amyloid clearance, anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammation, anti-tau aggregation and anti-oxidative stress etc. Therefore, we expect that these proteins act simultaneously in damaged brain of AD patient. hUCB-MSC, human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cell.

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