Title:Mesenchymal Stem Cells as a Source of Dopaminergic Neurons: A Potential Cell Based Therapy for Parkinson's Disease
Volume: 12
Issue: 4
Author(s): Katari Venkatesh*Dwaipayan Sen*
Affiliation:
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Laboratory, Centre for Biomaterials, Cellular and Molecular Theranostics, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) University, Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu,India
- Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics Laboratory, Centre for Biomaterials, Cellular and Molecular Theranostics, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) University, Vellore 632014, Tamil Nadu,India
Keywords:
Mesenchymal stem cells, MSC-derived dopaminergic neurons, Parkinson's disease, clinical trials, cell-based transplantation
therapy.
Abstract: Cell repair/replacing strategies for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease
depend on well-characterized dopaminergic neuronal candidates that are healthy and show promising
effect on the rejuvenation of degenerated area of the brain. Therefore, it is imperative to develop innovative
therapeutic strategies that replace damaged neurons with new/functional dopaminergic neurons. Although
several research groups have reported the generation of neural precursors/neurons from human/
mouse embryonic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells, the latter is considered to be an attractive
therapeutic candidate because of its high capacity for self-renewable, no adverse effect to allogeneic versus
autologous transplants, high ethical acceptance and no teratoma formation. Therefore, mesenchymal
stem cells can be considered as an ideal source for replacing lost cells in degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.
Hence, the use of these cells in the differentiation of dopaminergic neurons becomes significant
and thrives as a therapeutic approach to treat Parkinson’s disease. Here we highlight the basic biology of
mesenchymal stem cells, their differentiation potential into dopaminergic neurons and potential use in the
clinics.
