Limited Potential or Unfavorable Manipulations?

Strategies Toward Efficient Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cell Applications

authored by

Antonina Lavrentieva, Andrea Hoffmann, Cornelia Lee-Thedieck

Abstract

Despite almost 50 years of research and over 20 years of preclinical and clinical studies, the question of curative potential of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) is still widely discussed in the scientific community. Non-reproducible treatment outcomes or even absence of treatment effects in comparison to control groups challenges the potential of these cells for routine application both in tissue engineering and in regenerative medicine. One of the reasons of such outcomes is non-standardized and often disadvantageous ex vivo manipulation of MSCs prior therapy. In most cases, clinically relevant cell numbers for MSC-based therapies can be only obtained by in vitro expansion of isolated cells. In this mini review, we will discuss point by point possible pitfalls in the production of human MSCs for cell therapies, without consideration of material-based applications. Starting with cell source, choice of donor and recipient, as well as isolation methods, we will then discuss existing expansion protocols (two-/three-dimensional cultivation, basal medium, medium supplements, static/dynamic conditions, and hypoxic/normoxic conditions) and influence of these strategies on the cell functionality after implantation. The role of potency assays will also be addressed. The final aim of this mini review is to illustrate the heterogeneity of current strategies for gaining MSCs for clinical applications with their strengths and weaknesses. Only a careful consideration and standardization of all pretreatment processes/methods for the different applications of MSCs will ensure robust and reproducible performance of these cell populations in the different experimental and clinical settings.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Technical Chemistry
Institute of Cell Biology and Biophysics

External Organisation(s)

Hannover Medical School (MHH)

Type

Review article

Journal

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

Volume

8

Publication date

19.05.2020

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Developmental Biology, Cell Biology

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2020.00316 (Access: Open)