25 August 2017 | Francisco J. Vizoso, Noemi Eiro, Sandra Cid, Jose Schneider, Roman Perez-Fernandez
The article discusses the potential of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) secretome as a cell-free therapeutic strategy in regenerative medicine. While early research attributed the benefits of MSC therapy to their engrafting and differentiation capabilities, recent studies have shown that implanted MSCs do not survive long-term. Instead, the bioactive factors produced by MSCs, such as cytokines, growth factors, and exosomes, play a crucial role in regulating biological processes. The secretome, including conditioned media (CM) and exosomes, offers advantages over live cells in terms of manufacturing, storage, and handling. Human uterine cervical stem cells (hUCESCs) are highlighted as a promising source for obtaining secretome-derived products due to their ease of isolation and high proliferation rate. The article also explores the mechanisms and applications of MSC secretome, including immunomodulation, anti-apoptotic activity, wound healing, neuroprotective effects, angiogenesis regulation, antitumor effects, and antimicrobial activity. Additionally, it addresses the need for standardization in the composition of MSC-CM and the potential of exosomes for targeted delivery and enhanced therapeutic effects. Finally, the article discusses the clinical studies and scalable production methods for MSC secretome products, emphasizing the regulatory requirements for their safety and efficacy.The article discusses the potential of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) secretome as a cell-free therapeutic strategy in regenerative medicine. While early research attributed the benefits of MSC therapy to their engrafting and differentiation capabilities, recent studies have shown that implanted MSCs do not survive long-term. Instead, the bioactive factors produced by MSCs, such as cytokines, growth factors, and exosomes, play a crucial role in regulating biological processes. The secretome, including conditioned media (CM) and exosomes, offers advantages over live cells in terms of manufacturing, storage, and handling. Human uterine cervical stem cells (hUCESCs) are highlighted as a promising source for obtaining secretome-derived products due to their ease of isolation and high proliferation rate. The article also explores the mechanisms and applications of MSC secretome, including immunomodulation, anti-apoptotic activity, wound healing, neuroprotective effects, angiogenesis regulation, antitumor effects, and antimicrobial activity. Additionally, it addresses the need for standardization in the composition of MSC-CM and the potential of exosomes for targeted delivery and enhanced therapeutic effects. Finally, the article discusses the clinical studies and scalable production methods for MSC secretome products, emphasizing the regulatory requirements for their safety and efficacy.