Strategies to improve regenerative potential of mesenchymal stem cells

Figure 1 Increased donor age, disease conditions and in vitro expansion of cells reduce stem cell potential, making the cells less suitable for cell-based therapies. Stem cell function can be enhanced using strategies such as hypoxia, heat shock, caloric restriction and growth factor preconditioning. These strategies positively affect proliferation, migration, paracrine activity and differentiation potential of cells, and reduce senescence and apoptosis. Such pretreatment of cells makes the cells more suitable for cell based regenerative therapies.

Figure 2 Challenges and limitations in using preconditioning strategies such as hypoxia, heat shock, caloric restriction and growth factor & cytokine. Certain challenges are common for all these preconditioning strategies. Selection of correct strategy for correct duration for preconditioning of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from different sources is important. Assessment of the use of more than one strategies at the same time, use of sophisticated equipment for application of these strategies and evaluation of tumorigenicity after use of preconditioned strategies is required. The figure insets further describe the specific challenges in using specific strategies for preconditioning of MSCs.