Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that differentiate
into the mesenchymal lineages of adipocytes, osteocytes and
chondrocytes. MSCs can also transdifferentiate and thereby cross lineage
barriers, differentiating for example into neurons under certain
experimental conditions. MSCs have anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory
and anti-apoptotic effects on neurons. Therefore, MSCs were tested in
experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis
(MS), for their effectiveness in modulating the pathogenic process in
EAE to develop effective therapies for MS. The data in the literature
have shown that MSCs can inhibit the functions of autoreactive T cells
in EAE and that this immunomodulation can be neuroprotective. In
addition, MSCs can rescue neural cells via a mechanism that is mediated
by soluble factors, which provide a suitable environment for neuron
regeneration, remyelination and cerebral blood flow improvement. In this
review, we discuss the effectiveness of MSCs in modulating the
immunopathogenic process and in providing neuroprotection in EAE.
This is a review and we seldom post on reviews. This states "The data in the literature
have shown that MSCs can inhibit the functions of autoreactive T cells
in EAE and that this immunomodulation can be neuroprotective. In
addition, MSCs can rescue neural cells via a mechanism that is mediated
by soluble factors, which provide a suitable environment for neuron
regeneration, remyelination and cerebral blood flow improvement". I disagree there is very little in the literature to suggest that MSC do anything other than immunosuppression/immunomodualtion the production of neurons and myelin is extremely scant. This feeds the hype.