Organs

Lungs

Potential of stem cell therapy to repair lung damage.

A new study has found that stem cell therapy can reduce lung inflammation in an animal model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis. Although, still at a pre-clinical stage, these findings have important potential implications for the future treatment of patients.

The findings were presented in Estoril, Portugal today (25 March, 2017) at the European Respiratory Society’s Lung Science Conference.

Lung damage caused by chronic inflammation in conditions such as COPD and cystic fibrosis, leads to reduced lung function and eventually respiratory failure. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is currently being investigated as a promising therapeutic approach for a number of incurable, degenerative lung diseases. However, there is still limited data on the short and long-term effects of administering stem cell therapy in chronic respiratory disease.

The new research investigated the effectiveness of MSC therapy in a mouse model of chronic inflammatory lung disease, which reflects some of the essential features of diseases such as COPD and cystic fibrosis.

Researchers delivered stem cells intravenously to b-ENaC overexpressing mice at 4 and 6 weeks of age, before collecting samples tissue and cells from the lungs at 8 weeks. They compared these findings to a control group that did not receive the MSC therapy.

The results showed that inflammation was significantly reduced in the group receiving MSC therapy. Cells counts for both monocytic cells and neutrophils, both signs of inflammation, were significantly reduced after MSC therapy. Analysis of lung tissue revealed a reduction in the mean linear intercept and other measures of lung destruction in MSC treated mice. As well as reducing inflammation in the lung, MSC therapy also resulted in significant improvements in lung structure, suggesting that this form of treatment has the potential to repair the damaged lung.

Dr Declan Doherty, from Queens University Belfast, UK, commented: “These preliminary findings demonstrate the potential effectiveness of MSC treatment as a means of repairing the damage caused by chronic lung diseases such as COPD. The ability to counteract inflammation in the lungs by utilising the combined anti-inflammatory and reparative properties of MSCs could potentially reduce the inflammatory response in individuals with chronic lung disease whilst also restoring lung function in these patients. Although further research is needed to improve our understanding of how MSCs repair this damage, these findings suggest a promising role for MSC therapy in treating patients with chronic lung disease.

Professor Rachel Chambers, ERS Conferences and Research Seminars Director, commented: This paper offers novel results in a pre-clinical model which demonstrates the potential of MSC stem cell therapy for the treatment of long-term lung conditions with exciting potential implications for the future treatment of patients with COPD and cystic fibrosis. Although, still at an early stage in terms of translation to the human disease situation, this paper is one of many cutting-edge abstracts from the Lung Science Conference, which aims to provide an international platform to highlight novel experimental lung research with therapeutic potential. We rely on high quality basic and translational respiratory science, such as these latest findings, to develop novel therapeutic approaches for the millions of patients suffering from devastating and often fatal respiratory conditions.

Kidney

Mesenchymal stem cell treatment for chronic renal failure

Chronic renal failure is an important clinical problem with significant socioeconomic impact worldwide. Despite advances in renal replacement therapies and organ transplantation, poor quality of life for dialysis patients and long transplant waiting lists remain major concerns for nephrologists treating this condition. There is therefore a pressing need for novel therapies to promote renal cellular repair and tissue remodeling. Over the past decade, advances in the field of regenerative medicine allowed development of cell therapies suitable for kidney repair. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are undifferentiated cells that possess immunomodulatory and tissue trophic properties and the ability to differentiate into multiple cell types. Studies in animal models of chronic renal failure have uncovered a unique potential of these cells for improving function and regenerating the damaged kidney. Nevertheless, several limitations pertaining to inadequate engraftment, difficulty to monitor, and untoward effects of MSCs remain to be addressed. Adverse effects observed following intravascular administration of MSCs include immune rejection, adipogenic differentiation, malignant transformation, and prothrombotic events. Nonetheless, most studies indicate a remarkable capability of MSCs to achieve kidney repair. This review summarizes the regenerative potential of MSCs to provide functional recovery from renal failure, focusing on their application and the current challenges facing clinical translation.

Introduction

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prevalent condition  (8 to 16%) associated with all cause and cardiovascular mortality. Importantly, CKD can progress towards end-stage renal disease (ESRD), requiring renal replacement therapy. ESRD currently accounts for 6.3% of the Medicare spending in the United States, and is projected  to increase by 85% by 2015. Furthermore, ESRD has

a tremendous impact on quality of life and life expectancy of affected individuals. Therefore, it is imperative to develop therapeutic interventions to prevent, alleviate, or decelerate progression of renal failure.

Diabetes mellitus and hypertension represent major  causes of CKD and initiation of dialysis in the United

States. In addition, glomerular diseases, malnutrition, infectious diseases, and acute kidney injury can progress to ESRD, contributing to the increased global burden of death associated with this condition. Current treatment modalities often fail to target the major underlying contributors for progression of renal disease. Chronic glomerular and tubulointerstitial fibrosis is a common pathway to ESRD, often associated with apoptosis, oxidative damage, and microvascular rarefaction. In fact, renal dysfunction is postulated to better correlate with the degree of tubulointerstitial than with glomerular damage.

Importantly, the kidney possesses intrinsic regenerative  capacity that allows the organ to recover after limited insults. Unfortunately, this regenerative potential is limited under chronic conditions and thus inefficient to prevent progressive glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstial fibrosis. Treatment strategies that boost cellular regeneration might therefore offer good alternatives for patients with CKD.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be isolated from a  variety of tissues, differentiate into multiple cell lineages, and possess unique immunomodulatory properties that ameliorate inflammation and immune responses, constituting a promising tool to facilitate renal repair. MSCs are de fined by the presence of plastic-adherent cells under standard culture conditions, capacity to differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondroblasts in vitro,expression of typical surface markers (CD29, CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105, and CD166), and the lack of CD45, CD34, CD14 or CD11b, CD79αor CD19 and HLA-DR surface molecules [10]. In recent years, experimental studies have uncovered the potential of MSCs to improve renal function in several models of CKD, and several clinical studies have indicated their safety and efficacy in CKD. Nevertheless, a number of hurdles need to be addressed before clinical translation. This review summarizes the current state of MSC transplantation for CKD, focusing on their mechanisms of renal repair, complications, obstacles for clinical translation, and potential approaches to overcome them

Mesenchymal stem cells in experimental chronic kidney disease

Over the past few years, MSCs have been successfully applied in experimental models of CKD such as diabetes, hypertension, and chronic allograft nephropathy (Table 1). For example, a single intravenous dose of MSCs resulted in beta-pancreatic islet regeneration, prevented renal dam- age in streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes in C57BL/6 mice, and decreased hyperglycemia and glycosuria that persisted for 2 months after injection. Furthermore, MSC-treated diabetic mice showed histologically normal glomeruli, and albuminuria fell. Although the authors did not assess cellular mechanisms associated with MSC therapeutic effects, the long-lasting persistence of injected MSCs may suggest a direct effect to elicit kidney regeneration

Similarly, Lee and colleagues tested the effectiveness of intracardiac infusions of MSCs from human bone marrow in immunodeficient mice with type 2 diabetes produced with multiple low doses of streptozotocin. MSCs lowered blood glucose levels and decreased mesangial thickening and macrophage infiltration, suggesting their potential for improving renal lesions in subjects with diabetes mellitus. Interestingly, in kidneys of MSC-treated diabetic mice, a few injected human MSCs differentiated into glomerular endothelial cells.

Additionally, in rats with modified 5/6 nephrectomy, a  single venous injection of MSCs 1 day after nephrectomy preserved renal function and attenuated  renal injury. Despite unchanged blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, MSC-treated animals showed at-

tenuated progression of proteinuria. The scarce en graftment of MSCs in the kidneys of rats with chronic renal failure suggests that paracrine secretion

of mediators, such as cytokines or growth factors, may have accounted for their beneficial effects. Indeed, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were substantially higher in MSC-treated animals 1 month after MSC injection

Furthermore, a single dose of bone marrow-derived  MSCs 11 weeks after kidney transplantation in rats decreased interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, T-cell and

macrophage infiltration, and the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Interestingly, a decrease over time in the inflammatory and profibrotic cytokine levels in MSC-treated animals was associated with an increase in  the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, although none of the injected MSCs were detected 7 days after delivery. These observations imply that the beneficial effect of these cells in this setting is primarily attributable to their paracrine immunomodulatory properties rather than long-term engraftment.

We have previously shown in swine atherosclerotic renovascular disease that intrarenal delivery of MSCs isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue protected the stenotic kidney despite sustained hypertension. Notably, MSCs also attenuated renal inflammation, endoplasmic-reticulum stress, and apoptosis through mechanisms involving cell contact. Furthermore, adjunctive MSCs improved renal function and structure after renal revascularization and

reduced inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, microvascular remodeling, and fibrosis in the stenotic kidney (Figure 1). This strategy also restores oxygen dependent tubular function in the stenotic-kidney medulla, extending their value to preserving medullary structure and function in chronic ischemic conditions

Potential challenges for clinical translation

While preclinical studies have established the safety and efficacy of MSCs in different models of CKD, these results need cautious translation into routine clinical practice. Trials using MSCs for CKD patients may face various challenges, including selecting the optimal route of MSC delivery, scant homing and engraftment, immune rejection, ensuring thriving, and tracking of injected cells. Addressing these challenges may bolster the success of MSC therapy in improving renal function in CKD patients

Route of delivery

The route of MSC delivery may influence the cells’capacity to home and engraft the damaged tissue, and thereby their efficacy for renal repair. Commonly used experimental methods to deliver MSCs include systemic intravenous, intra-arterial, or intraparenchymal delivery.When intravenously delivered in normal Sprague–Daw-ley rats, the majority of MSCs are initially trapped in thelungs, but in nonhuman primates the cells distribute broadly into the kidneys, skin, lung, thymus, and liver with estimated levels of engraftment ranging from 0.1 to 2.7%.

In contrast, direct delivery of MSCs into the renal artery of an ischemic kidney is associated with retention rates of 10 to 15%,, although the normal swine kidney retains only around 4%, due to the low tonic release of injury signals. However, injection of human MSCs into the mouse abdominal aorta may lead to occlusion in the distal vasculature due to their relatively large cell size (16 to 53 μm), suggesting that this approach should be used cautiously. Injections of MSCs into the renal parenchyma or their local subcapsular implantation confer renoprotective effect, but are difficult to implement in the human injured kidney

In experimental models of CKD, the optimal dose of MSCs is often empirical, with doses ranging from 0.5 × 〖10〗^6 to 10 × 〖10〗^6. Despite variability in dose regimens and route of delivery, the safety and beneficial effects of MSCs were consistent among studies. Nevertheless, the use of escalating doses is strongly recommended in clinical trials, and chronic adverse events should be evaluated prior to enrollment at the next dose level.

Homing

Circulating hematopoietic progenitor cells home to the damaged kidney by responding to injury signals that correspond to cognate surface receptors which they express. Accumulating evidence indicates that exogenously infused MSCs respond to similar homing signals. In mice, expression of CD44 and its major ligand hyaluronic acid mediates MSC migration to the injured kidney, and hyaluronic acid also promotes MSC dosedependent migration in vitro. Moreover, renal homing of intravenously injected MSCs was blocked by preincubation with the CD44 blocking antibody or by soluble hyaluronic acid, suggesting that CD44 and hyaluronic acid interactions recruit exogenous MSCs to the injured kidney. In addition, Liu and colleagues found that, when administered systemically, MSCs home to the ischemic kidney, improving renal function,accelerating mitogenic response, and reducing cell apoptosis, but these effect were abolished by either CXCR4 or CXCR7 inhibition,implicating the stromal derived factor-1CXCR4/CXCR7 axis in kidney repair.

Collectively, these observations suggest that strategies aimed to enhance MSC expression of homing signals may improve their capacity to attenuate renal dysfunction.Studies have shown that selective manipulation of MSCs before transplantation (preconditioning) enhances their ability to protect damaged tissues. The rationale underpinning this approach is that transplanted MSCs encounter a hostile microenvironment that mitigates their reparative capabilities and survival. Indeed, preconditioning with the mitogenic and prosurvival factor insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 before systemic infusion of bone marrow-derived MSCs (2 × 〖10〗^5) upregulates the expression of CXCR4 and restores normal renal function in a mice model of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury

Engraftment

Chronic renal failure is an important clinical problem with significant socioeconomic impact worldwide. Despite advances in renal replacement therapies and organ transplantation, poor quality of life for dialysis patients and long transplant waiting lists remain major concerns for nephrologists treating this condition. There is therefore a pressing need for novel therapies to promote renal cellular repair and tissue remodeling. Over the past decade, advances in the field of regenerative medicine allowed development of cell therapies suitable for kidney repair. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are undifferentiated cells that possess immunomodulatory and tissue trophic properties and the ability to differentiate into multiple cell types. Studies in animal models of chronic renal failure have uncovered a unique potential of these cells for improving function and regenerating the damaged kidney. Nevertheless, several limitations pertaining to inadequate engraftment, difficulty to monitor, and untoward effects of MSCs remain to be addressed. Adverse effects observed following intravascular administration of MSCs include immune rejection, adipogenic differentiation, malignant transformation, and prothrombotic events. Nonetheless, most studies indicate a remarkable capability of MSCs to achieve kidney repair. This review summarizes the regenerative potential of MSCs to provide functional recovery from renal failure, focusing on their application and the current challenges facing clinical translation.

Some studies suggest that MSCs have the capacity to engraft the damaged tissue, integrate into tubular cells, and differentiate into mesangial cells. In swine renovascular disease, 4 weeks after intrarenal infusion, MSCs(10 × 〖10〗^6) were detected in all regions of the kidney, but mostly at the renal interstitium . On the other hand, intravenous infusion of bone marrow-derived MSCs (2 × 〖10〗^5) in mice with cisplatin-induced acute renal failure reduced the severity of renal injury, but none were detected within the renal tubules and only few cells within the renal interstitium at 1 to 4 days after infusion suggesting that MSC engraftment is not necessary to achieve renoprotection. Likewise, despite significant improvement in renal function, within 3 days of intracarotid infusion in a rat model of ischemia–reperfusion-induced acute renal failure, none of the MSCs differentiated into the tubular or endothelial cell phenotype, indicating that their beneficial effects are primarily mediated via paracrineactions rather than differentiation into target cells.

Methods to increase MSC engraftment may therefore enhance their utility in regenerative cellular therapy. Temporary obstruction of the renal artery following intrarenal delivery may prevent cell washout, and is associated with significant retention rates in the postischemic kidney. Alternatively, in a rat model of acute kidney injury s-nitroso N-acetyl penicillamine preconditioning enhances MSC engraftment, ultimately associated with a significant improvement in renal function.

Despite the crucial role attributed to MSC engraftment in potentiating the cells’beneficial effect at the site of in jury, there is currently consensus that the chief mechanism by which MSCs protect the damaged kidney is the release of growth factors, proangiogenic factors, and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Cultured MSCs release large amounts of the proangiogenic factor VEGF, which facilitates glomerular and tubular recovery MSCs can also produce IGF-1, while administration of IGF-1 gene-silenced MSCs limits their protective effect on renal function and tubular structure in murinecisplatin-induced kidney injury, indicating that MSCsexert their beneficial effects by producing IGF-1 .

Importantly, these paracrine actions of MSCs seem to mediate their immunomodulatory properties. In ischemia–reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury, infusion of MSCs downregulates renal expression of proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules such as IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1, but upregulates the expression of the anti-inflammatory IL-10 [26,33]. Likewise, we have shown in swine renovascular disease that intrarenal delivery of MSCs during renal revascularization decreased renal expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, but increased IL10 expression. Moreover, MSCs induced a shift in the macrophage phenotype from inflammatory (M1) to reparative (M2), uncovering their immunomodulatory potential. Taken together, these observations underscore the contribution of paracrine actions of MSCs to induce a shift from an inflammatory to an anti-

inflammatory microenvironment. It is not unlikely that the type, number, and expansion methods used to secure MSCs alter their engraftment capacity

Rejection

For many years, MSCs have been considered immune privileged because of the lack of expression of co-stimulatory molecules and their capacity to decrease renal release and expression of inflammatory mediators. These attributes engendered the hope that MSCs could engraft in allogeneic nonimmunosuppressed recipients, and stimulated development of off-the-shelf allogeneic MSC products, which allow rapid generation of large amounts of cells from few donors. Nevertheless, in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that MSCs may occasionally induce an immune switch transitioning from an immune privileged to an immunogenic phenotype that triggered cellular cytotoxicity or immune rejection. Moreover, implantation of murine MSCs engineered to release erythropoietin in major histocompatibility complexmismatched allogeneic mice increased the proportion of host-derived lymphoid CD8+ and natural killer infiltrating

cells, suggesting that MSCs are not intrinsically immune privileged. Taken together, these observations do not support the use of allogeneic MSCs as a universal cellular platform, at least until development of unequivocally immunoprivileged MSCs. Therefore, at this point, administration of autologous MSCs seems to be the safest

Thriving

An important feature of MSCs is their capacity to induce proliferation of renal glomerular and tubular cells, increasing cellular survival. By secreting proangiogenic and trophic factors, injected MSCs not only can enhance proliferation, but also can decrease apoptosis of tubular

cells. We have shown in swine renovascular disease that a single intrarenal delivery of MSCs in conjunction with renal revascularization increased proliferation of renal cells, and recently confirmed in vitro that MSCs blunt apoptosis by decreasing the expression of caspase-3.

However, whether MSCs remain in the circulation long enough to exert any long-lasting effect is a matter of debate. Ezquer and colleagues showed that intravenous MSCs home into the kidney of type 1 diabetic mice, and some donor MSCs remained in the kidney up to 2 months

later. Similarly, we found that 4 weeks after intrarenal delivery a significant number of MSCs were retained in the injected kidney, whereas by 12 weeks after cell transfer only a few cells were observed in the kidney, yet their beneficial effects were sustained. Longitudinal studies are needed to document the chronology of MSC retention and beneficial benefits in the kidney. Additionally, development of novel interventions such as preconditioning may enhance survival and potency of MSCs in renal failure. For instance, MSCs exposed to hypoxic conditions in culture sustain viability and function through preservation of oxidant status, and preconditioning with kallikrein or melatonin enhances their therapeutic potential

An important feature of MSCs is their capacity to induce proliferation of renal glomerular and tubular cells, increasing cellular survival. By secreting proangiogenic and trophic factors, injected MSCs not only can enhance proliferation, but also can decrease apoptosis of tubular

cells. We have shown in swine renovascular disease that a single intrarenal delivery of MSCs in conjunction with renal revascularization increased proliferation of renal cells, and recently confirmed in vitro that MSCs blunt apoptosis by decreasing the expression of caspase-3.

from exogenous MSCs illustrate their potential for transformation into tumors, underscoring the requirement for closely monitoring human MSCs in clinical studies. Alternatively, complications and maldifferentiation of live replicating MSCs warrant development of safer tactics and interventions.

Considerable evidence shows that MSCs release microvesicles which exhibit characteristics of their parental cells, and transfer proteins, lipids, and genetic material to target cells. We have recently shown that endothelial outgrowth cells release microvesicles,which may mediate their intercellular communications. Similarly, MSCs are avid producers of microvesicles (Figure 2) that shuttle functional components for their paracrine action. Delivery of microvesicles instead of their parent MSCs could avoid concerns about extensive expansion, cryopreservation, complications, and maldifferentiation of live replicating cells. Indeed, microvesicles derived from preconditioned MSCs promoted recovery in a rat hind-limb ischemia model. However, questions regarding their composition and potency relative to their parent MSCs remain unanswered,underscoring the need for studies to clarify the potential of this promising therapeutic modality.

Uremic conditions may also affect the efficacy of MSCs, limiting their potential use in patients with CKD. Uremia induced by partial kidney ablation in C57Bl/6 J mice leads to MSC functional incompetence, characterized by decreased expression of VEGF, VEGF receptor-1, and stromal derived factor-1, increased cellular senescence, and decreased proliferation. Conversely, MSCs isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue of healthy controls and patients with renal disease show similar characteristics and functionality, underscoring the feasibility of autolo gous cell therapy in patients with renal disease [50]. Indeed, a recent meta-analysis of prospective clinical trials that used intravascular delivery of MSCs concluded that these cells have an excellent safety record.

VestaCell

Interspecies differences in the biology of mesenchymal

stem cells

Although it is accepted that MSCs from different species are capable of differentiation into various lineages and express common MSC markers, species-dependent variability in their expression has been reported among different species. Furthermore, the mechanism of MSC-mediated immunosuppression varies among different species. For example, while immunosuppression by human-derived or monkey-derived MSCs is mediated by indoleamine 2,3dioxygenase, the molecular mechanisms underlying immunosuppression in mouse MSCs utilize nitric oxide. Several immune barriers have been also encountered in experimental xenotransplantation, the transplantation of MSCs from one species to another, warranting the development of genetic alternatives to overcome these obstacles. Clearly, results from experimental studies need to be carefully validated before clinical translation

Tracking

There is also a pressing need for better methods for detection and monitoring the fate of MSCs. Despite improvement in direct (fluorescent probe) and indirect (reporter genes) labeling techniques, questions regarding interactions of MSCs with tissue, differentiation,or migration remain unanswered. While fluorescent probes such as membrane tracers or microspheres need to be detected with histological techniques in a cell or organelle, reporter genes such as bioluminescence or fluores cent proteins can be used to identify different cell populations using imaging in vivo. However, these detection methods have little tissue penetration, limiting their use in large animal models or humans.

Conceivably, imaging modalities such as single-photonemission computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging may address some of these deficiencies by providing high-resolution anatomical detail and tracking of cell viability [60,61]. Several types of agents are currently used for labeling MSCs for their detection with magnetic resonance imaging. Among them, superparamagnetic iron oxide particles are the most commonly applied, because of their capacity to induce changes in T2 relaxivity in vivo. However, the transfection agents used for superparamagnetic iron oxide particle internalization may also affect cell viability, and dying cells accumulate iron until dissolved or eliminated by phagocytosis, impeding their application as indices of cell viability. Further methods are therefore needed to better assess engraftment, survival,and function of MSCs in human subjects.

Clinical trials using mesenchymal stem cells for

renal repair

There are many theories about the different functions of Hydrogen Peroxide in the body and a great deal of scientific material supports almost every one. Hydrogen Peroxide is produced in the body in different amounts for different purposes. It is part of a system which helps you use the OXYGEN you breathe. It’s is part of a system which helps your body regulate all living cell membranes. It is a hormonal regulator. necessary for your body to produce several hormonal substances such as estrogen. progesterone and thyroid. It is important in the regulation of blood sugar. and the production of energy in all cells. It helps regulate certain chemicals necessary to operate the brain and nervous system. It is used in the defense system of the body Lo kill bacteria. virus, yeast and parasites and has been found to be important in regulating the immune system. Scientists are discovering the function of Hydrogen Peroxide in the body is far more complex and important than previously realized.

Few clinical trials have tested safety and efficacy of MSCs for renal disease. Reinders and colleagues studied safety and feasibility in six kidney allograft recipients who received two intravenous infusions of expanded autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs (〖10〗^6cells/kg,  7 days apart) because of rejection and/or increased interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy [63]. Although the design of the study does not allow one to draw conclusions on efficacy, in two recipients with allograft rejection the renal biopsies after MSC treatment demonstrated resolution of tubulitis without interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, whereas maintenance immune suppression remained unaltered, supporting the potential of MSCs in preventing allograft rejection. However, three patients developed an opportunistic infection, raising concerns regarding systemic immunosuppression after MSC infusions. Similarly, a recent prospective, open-label, randomized study demonstrated that, among patients undergoing renal transplant, intravenous infusion of marrow-derived autologous MSCs (1 × 〖10〗^6  to 2 × 〖10〗^6/kg) at kidney reperfusion and 2 weeks later decreased the in cidence of acute rejection and of opportunistic infection,and improved renal function at 1 year compared with  anti-IL-2 receptor antibody induction therapy. Importantly, delivery of autologous MSCs was not associated with adverse events, nor did it compromise graft survival. Likewise, autologous MSC infusion in two recipients of kidneys from living-related donors 7 days post-transplant restricted memory T-cell expansion and enlarged the T-regulatory cell population. These observations suggest safety and clinical feasibility of cell based therapy with MSCs in the context of kidney

transplantation

Several clinical trials are currently underway to evaluate the therapeutic potential of autologous and allogeneic MSCs for treatment of renal diseases. For example, NCT01843387 investigates the safety,tolerability and efficacy of a single intravenous infusion of two doses of MSCs versus placebo in subjects with diabetic nephropathy and type 2 diabetes. NCT00659620 will test whether MSCs are effective in preventing organ rejection and maintaining kidney function in patients who develop chronic allograft nephropathy. In addition, NCT00659217 evaluates infusion of expanded autologous MSCs into patients with lupus nephritis. Finally, NCT01840540 is a phase I study of autologous MSCs in the treatment of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. While they aim primarily to test the feasibility and practical usefulness of MSCs in renal diseases, results from these clinical tri als may also shed light on the mechanisms responsible for MSC renal protection.

Conclusions and future Perspectives

Available experimental evidence confirms that MSCs contribute to cellular repair and ameliorate renal injury

Heart Stem Cell Treatment

When looking at the heart, stem cells have the ability to perform two main roles:

• Home into the damaged areas
• Stimulate multiple biological events which cause healing of the heart muscle

For example, studies have demonstrated that stem cell therapy will cause new muscle cells to be formed through stimulation of dormant stem cells that are already inside the heart muscle. In these studies, the administered stem cells also transformed into new heart muscle cells.

Our heart stem cell treatment protocol for heart failure involves the administration of mesenchymal stem cells harvested from human umbilical cord tissue or from adipose tissue from the patient in the early stage of the disease.

These stem cells along with specific peptides and stem cell growth factors can show real benefits to patients suffering from heart disease.

Supportive therapies such as Biophoton blood laser cleaning and blood oxygen therapy also support the body’s healing process.

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