Journal of Inflammation Research (May 2023)
Stem Cell Therapy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Review of Achievements and Challenges
Abstract
Cheng-Mei Tian,1,2,* Yuan Zhang,3,* Mei-Feng Yang,4,* Hao-Ming Xu,5 Min-Zheng Zhu,6 Jun Yao,1 Li-Sheng Wang,1 Yu-Jie Liang,7 De-Feng Li1 1Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Emergency, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Medical Administration, Huizhou Institute of Occupational Diseases Control and Prevention, Huizhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Hematology, Yantian District People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 6Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 7Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Li-Sheng Wang; De-Feng Li, Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), No. 1017, Dongmen North Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen, 518020, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 755 25533018, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a group of chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Repeated inflammation can lead to complications, such as intestinal fistula, obstruction, perforation, and bleeding. Unfortunately, achieving durable remission and mucosal healing (MH) with current treatments is difficult. Stem cells (SCs) have the potential to modulate immunity, suppress inflammation, and have anti-apoptotic and pro-angiogenic effects, making them an ideal therapeutic strategy to target chronic inflammation and intestinal damage in IBD. In recent years, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown efficacy in treating IBD. In addition, numerous clinical trials have evaluated the efficiency of MSCs in treating the disease. This review summarizes the current research progress on the safety and efficacy of SC-based therapy for IBD in both preclinical models and clinical trials. We discuss potential mechanisms of SC therapy, including tissue repair, paracrine effects, and the promotion of angiogenesis, immune regulation, and anti-inflammatory effects. We also summarize current SC engineering strategies aimed at enhancing the immunosuppressive and regenerative capabilities of SCs for treating intestinal diseases. Additionally, we highlight current limitations and future perspectives of SC-related therapy for IBD.Graphic Abstract: Keywords: stem cells, mesenchymal stromal cells, HSCs, immunosuppression, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease
