Miceli V. Use of priming strategies to advance the clinical application of mesenchymal stromal/stem cell-based therapy. World J Stem Cells 2024; 16(1): 7-18 [PMID: 38292438 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v16.i1.7]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Vitale Miceli, PhD, Academic Editor, Research Scientist, Department of Research, Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad alta Specializzazione, Via Tricomi 5, Palermo 90127, Italy. vmiceli@ismett.edu
Research Domain of This Article
Biology
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
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This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Stem Cells. Jan 26, 2024; 16(1): 7-18 Published online Jan 26, 2024. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v16.i1.7
Use of priming strategies to advance the clinical application of mesenchymal stromal/stem cell-based therapy
Vitale Miceli
Vitale Miceli, Department of Research, Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad alta Specializzazione, Palermo 90127, Italy
Author contributions: Miceli V designed the general concept and outline of the manuscript, reviewed the literature, wrote and edited the manuscript and illustration.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The author reported no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Vitale Miceli, PhD, Academic Editor, Research Scientist, Department of Research, Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad alta Specializzazione, Via Tricomi 5, Palermo 90127, Italy. vmiceli@ismett.edu
Received: November 15, 2023 Peer-review started: November 15, 2023 First decision: December 17, 2023 Revised: December 18, 2023 Accepted: December 28, 2023 Article in press: December 28, 2023 Published online: January 26, 2024 Processing time: 67 Days and 19.8 Hours
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) have garnered significant attention in the field of regenerative medicine due to their remarkable therapeutic potential. MSCs play a pivotal role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and possess diverse functions in tissue repair and recovery in various organs. These cells are characterized by easy accessibility, few ethical concerns, and adaptability to in vitro cultures, making them a valuable resource for cell therapy in several clinical conditions. Over the years, it has been shown that the true therapeutic power of MSCs lies not in cell engraftment and replacement but in their ability to produce critical paracrine factors, including cytokines, growth factors, and exosomes (EXOs), which modulate the tissue microenvironment and facilitate repair and regeneration processes. Consequently, MSC-derived products, such as conditioned media and EXOs, are now being extensively evaluated for their potential medical applications, offering advantages over the long-term use of whole MSCs. However, the efficacy of MSC-based treatments varies in clinical trials due to both intrinsic differences resulting from the choice of diverse cell sources and non-standardized production methods. To address these concerns and to enhance MSC therapeutic potential, researchers have explored many priming strategies, including exposure to inflammatory molecules, hypoxic conditions, and three-dimensional culture techniques. These approaches have optimized MSC secretion of functional factors, empowering them with enhanced immunomodulatory, angiogenic, and regenerative properties tailored to specific medical conditions. In fact, various priming strategies show promise in the treatment of numerous diseases, from immune-related disorders to acute injuries and cancer. Currently, in order to exploit the full therapeutic potential of MSC therapy, the most important challenge is to optimize the modulation of MSCs to obtain adapted cell therapy for specific clinical disorders. In other words, to unlock the complete potential of MSCs in regenerative medicine, it is crucial to identify the most suitable tissue source and develop in vitro manipulation protocols specific to the type of disease being treated.
Core Tip: Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) offer important therapeutic effects in the field of regenerative medicine. Their key role lies in the production of paracrine factors that modulate tissue environments and allow their repair following insults. Recently, MSC-derived products such as exosomes and conditioned media are replacing whole MSCs in clinical applications. In this regard, to optimize the results of MSC-based treatment, researchers have explored priming strategies in order to enhance MSC properties. Realizing the full potential of MSC therapy depends on identifying the right tissue source and developing priming strategies specific to the disease being treated.
