TITLE:
Stem Cells: A Promising Therapeutic Target for COVID-19
AUTHORS:
Leyla Tahrani Hardin, Nan Xiao
KEYWORDS:
ACE2, Clinical Use, Exosomes, Immunotherapy, Mesenchymal Cells, SARS-CoV-2
JOURNAL NAME:
Stem Cell Discovery,
Vol.12 No.1,
January
28,
2022
ABSTRACT: A large variety of therapeutic products have been developed as vaccines or treatments of COVID-19 infection. Meanwhile SARS-CoV-2
continues to mutate and spread. The severe COVID-19 patients have limited treatment options. Therefore, mesenchymal
stem cells (MSCs) are proposed as another therapeutic target. They are known for
their regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. They showed potent efficacy
and safety abilities for the treatment of critical COVID-19 patients and intriguing
benefits in reducing lungs damage, mortality, and cytokine storm in several clinical
studies. Another promising treatment option
is the use of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) to combat SARS-CoV-2, despite
the fact that detailed therapeutic strategies and mechanisms are still lacking. In this
review we shed light on the immune response against COVID-19 infection and the relevant knowledge considering the role of MSCs in innate and adaptive immune responses
to better understand the immune-physiological
mechanisms of MSCs treatment. Lastly, we summarize the latest progress in clinical
and research studies suggesting potential MSCs/DPSCs as therapeutic targets in battling
COVID-19.