Role of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease
Role of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease
Sahar Ghasemi,1,*
1. Ahmadi Roushan Student Research Center, Baharestan 1 Education Office, Baharestan 1, Tehran, Iran
Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune disease that are characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. This disease exists in two forms: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Both forms of the disease have increased the incidence of gastrointestinal malignancies and have led to a significant rise in morbidity and mortality due to this disease. Today, immunosuppressive drugs are used to treat inflammatory bowel disease, but due to the side effects of these drugs, satisfactory results are not achieved in many cases.
Methods: One of the best treatments for inflammatory bowel disease is treatment with stem cells, which simultaneously restores the damaged intestinal tissue on the one hand and improves immune system disorders on the other hand. Stem cells are cells that retain the ability to divide for a long time and differentiate into different types of specialized cells under appropriate conditions and signals. The mechanism of action of stem cells is twofold: one is the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into intestinal cells, which causes the replacement of lost cells. The other, through the secretion of immune system regulatory factors that control the activity of the body's immune system cells. These cells produce large amounts of cytokines that led to stimulate neutrophils chemotaxis and release of pro-inflammatory chemicals. Mesenchymal stem cells also increase the level of cytokine-10 and reduce the clinical symptoms of colon inflammation.
Results: In laboratory research, bone marrow mesenchymal cells were transformed into endothelial progenitor cells, and then differentiated into intestinal epithelial cells. These cells caused the construction of the basement membrane and the production of extracellular matrix. Other laboratory studies also showed the important role of these cells in the secretion of immune system regulatory factors that are specific to the intestinal tissue.
Conclusion: It is possible to obtain bone marrow stem cells autologously (taking stem cells from the patient's own bone marrow), and allogeneic (taking stem cells from the bone marrow of a donor), and both methods can be used to treat inflammatory bowel disease. The use of stem cells promises more effective and efficient treatments for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. With the help of this method, the intestinal lost cells are replaced, intestinal inflammation is reduced, and there will be no side effects caused by immunosuppressive drugs.