"The use of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of diabetes and cardiomyopathy"

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are multipotent plastic-adherent cells obtained from bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord and other tissues and can be easily expanded in culture. The main functional characteristics of MSCs are their immunomodulatory ability, capacity for self-renewal, and differentiation into mesodermal tissues. The ability of MSC to differentiate into a variety of cells, including cardiomyocytes and insulin-producing cells, make them an attractive therapeutic tool for a number of diseases including cardiomyopathies and diabetes mellitus. MSC exert their role in in tissue repair not only by differentiating into specific cell types but also through paracrine effects via secretion of a variety of angiogenic, antiapoptotic, and mitogenic factors. Experimental and clinical studies have provided promising results using MSCs to treat diabetes and ischemic and non- ischemic cardiomyopathy.

In this review, after examining the pathophysiology of diabetes and cardiomyopathy, we will discuss the potential of MSCs as new therapeutic agents in the treatment of these two diseases.

ANTONARA Morfini