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The versatility of mesenchymal stem cells: From regenerative medicine to COVID, what is next?

THAÍS CASAGRANDE PAIM, MÁRCIA ROSÂNGELA WINK^*

Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, 90050-170, Brazil

* Corresponding Author:MÁRCIA ROSÂNGELA WINK. Email:

BIOCELL 2022, 46(4), 913-922. https://doi.org/10.32604/biocell.2022.018498

Received 30 July 2021; Accepted 26 September 2021; Issue published 15 December 2021

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play key roles in regenerative medicine by promoting tissue healing. MSCs can be isolated from different adult tissues and they are able to differentiate into several lineages. Due to their anti-inflammatory, angiogenic and immune-modulatory properties, MSCs are suitable for tissue engineering applications and, when associated with biomaterials, their benefits can be improved. Moreover, recently, MSCs have been studied for new clinical applications, such as in the treatment of patients with COVID-19. MSCs regenerative potential has been attributed to their secretome, which comprises extracellular matrix, soluble proteins and several elements, including the release of extracellular vesicles. Even though, in order to explore all their therapeutic potential, it is still necessary to advance in the investigation of their basic cell biology characteristics.

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