Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that are clonal, self-renewing, and can differentiate into multiple cell types (known as potency). Among stem cells, there are embryonal stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and hematopoietic stem cells. MSCs are fibroblast-like non-hematopoietic stem cells that can differentiate into various tissue types, including bone, muscle, liver, lung, and cartilage. MSCs can be isolated from bone marrow, adipose tissue, placenta, or umbilical cord blood, among other tissues. MSCs are adherent under tissue culture conditions and express several cell surface markers, including CD105, CD73, and CD90. However, MSCs show negative expression for CD45, CD34, CD14, CD11b, CD79α, CD19, and HLA-DR. This article aims to explain the current definition of MSCs, describe therapies for which MSCs may be used, and review recent lung disease clinical trials.