Stem Cells and Immunomodulation

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Immunology and Immunotherapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2025) | Viewed by 2618

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, “Alma Mater Studiorum” Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Interests: stem cells; histological modeling of human tissues; three-dimensional (3D) cultures; perinatal stem cells; spheroids; organoids; antimicrobial factors; natural compounds; regenerative medicine; biomaterials
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to provide new insights into the effect of stem cells (SCs) on damaged and pro-healing cells, within the contribution of the immune system. Mesenchymal/stromal stem cells (MSCs) and perinatal stem cells are a versatile source for cell therapies, promoting tissue regeneration. Beyond their differentiation potential, human SCs modulate the immune response, which has a critical role in the onset or progression of many diseases. This immunomodulatory property is a significant tool used to counteract the damage caused by unbalanced or persistent tissue inflammation. Unfortunately, clinical applications are not possible before a detailed description of the beneficial link between SCs and immune system effectors is defined. Despite years of pre-clinical investigation, many SC-based clinical trials have not yielded satisfactory results. To prevent conflicting results, researchers should discover new mechanisms of action and deepen their knowledge on the ability to inhibit pro-inflammatory reactions and stimulate the anti-inflammatory response by clinically acceptable SCs. We encourage the submission of original research articles or review that describe the interesting interplay between stem cells and specific tissue-resident cells in co-cultures and organoid platforms. Manuscripts that show how stem cells alleviate tissue degeneration and infectious diseases are highly welcome, as well as those that discuss the protective and preventive effects in relevant cell players. Animal model reports and in vivo studies may be considered if relevant and corroborated by in vitro models. By contributing to this Special Issue, a better understanding of the effects mediated by the direct and indirect interactions between SCs and other specific cell types will advance the design of immunomodulation strategies. This will be an essential step for the widely successful transplantation of GMP-grade stem cell therapies or for specifically involved stem cell-free factor delivery, for the treatment of difficult-to-treat diseases and to offer new possible strategies to ameliorate current therapies.

Dr. Pasquale Marrazzo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • pre-conditioning and priming of stem cells
  • new immunomodulatory assays
  • immunomodulation in 3D cell culture, organoids and spheroids
  • novel immunomodulatory properties of stem cells
  • antimicrobial stem cells
  • wharton jelly and umbilical cord stem cells
  • novel immune targets of stem cell factors
  • immunotolerance by stem cells
  • immunophenotyping of new stem cell sources
  • immunomodulation by progenitor cells

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 2528 KiB  
Article
Administration of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells After the Onset of the Disease Does Not Lower the Levels of Inflammatory Cytokines IL1 and IL6 in a Rat Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
by Marek Wolski, Tomasz Ciesielski, Kasper Buczma, Łukasz Fus, Agnieszka Girstun, Joanna Trzcińska-Danielewicz and Agnieszka Cudnoch-Jędrzejewska
Biomedicines 2024, 12(12), 2897; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12122897 - 19 Dec 2024
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Research on the roles of stem cells in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) has primarily focused on the effects of bone marrow- and amniotic fluid-derived stem cells in mitigating the clinical manifestations of the disease. However, the potential of adipose tissue-derived stem cells [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Research on the roles of stem cells in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) has primarily focused on the effects of bone marrow- and amniotic fluid-derived stem cells in mitigating the clinical manifestations of the disease. However, the potential of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) remains unexplored in this context. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of ADSC administration during the active inflammatory phase of NEC, with a specific focus on reducing the levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1 and IL-6. Methods: A self-modified hypoxia–hypothermia–formula feeding rat NEC model was employed. A total of 117 rat pups were divided into two groups: a treatment group (NEC-ADSC, n = 55) and a control group (NEC-PLCB (placebo), n = 62). In the NEC-ADSC group, ADSCs were administered intraperitoneally 24 h into the NEC protocol. After 72 h, bowel and fluid samples were collected for analysis. Results: The analysis revealed no significant effect on NEC histopathology (p = 0.347) or on the levels of IL-1 and IL-6 (p = 0.119 and p = 0.414, respectively). Conclusions: The administration of adipose tissue-derived stem cells after the onset of necrotizing enterocolitis does not reduce the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1 and IL-6, nor does it influence the histopathological outcomes of the disease in the rat model. Further research is needed to explore the potential therapeutic role of adipose tissue-derived stem cells in the treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stem Cells and Immunomodulation)
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Review

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17 pages, 612 KiB  
Review
Role of Perinatal Stem Cell Secretome as Potential Therapy for Muscular Dystrophies
by Serafina Pacilio, Sara Lombardi, Roberta Costa, Francesca Paris, Giovannamaria Petrocelli, Pasquale Marrazzo, Giovanna Cenacchi and Francesco Alviano
Biomedicines 2025, 13(2), 458; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13020458 - 13 Feb 2025
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Abstract
Inflammation mechanisms play a critical role in muscle homeostasis, and in Muscular Dystrophies (MDs), the myofiber damage triggers chronic inflammation which significantly controls the disease progression. Immunomodulatory strategies able to target inflammatory pathways and mitigate the immune-mediated damage in MDs may provide new [...] Read more.
Inflammation mechanisms play a critical role in muscle homeostasis, and in Muscular Dystrophies (MDs), the myofiber damage triggers chronic inflammation which significantly controls the disease progression. Immunomodulatory strategies able to target inflammatory pathways and mitigate the immune-mediated damage in MDs may provide new therapeutic options. Owing to its capacity of influencing the immune response and enhancing tissue repair, stem cells’ secretome has been proposed as an adjunct or standalone treatment for MDs. In this review study, we discuss the challenging points related to the inflammation condition characterizing MD pathology and provide a concise summary of the literature supporting the potential of perinatal stem cells in targeting and modulating the MD inflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stem Cells and Immunomodulation)
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