Journal of Cell Science & Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

MSCs? rejuvenation strategies with an immediate translational potential

Ilaria Roato, Federico Mussano*

Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells indispensable for the homeostatic maintenance and regeneration of a large variety of tissues, almost ubiquitous in human body. Despite the large number of clinical trials proving consistently MSCs’ safety, only a few protocols have received regulatory approval. As main causes of such a reduced efficacy, cells heterogeneity limiting the standardization of the therapies and the onset of senescence have been invoked. To address this shortcoming, researchers have been working on several strategies capable of delaying or even hopefully reversing the senescent phenotypes of MSCs. In the present short review, the authors focused only on the reduction of ROS and the administration of anti-senescent drugs on the grounds of their rapid translation potential. Indeed, off target effects of anti-senescent therapies may even include oncogenesis and thus require the uttermost attention to safety issues besides efficacy evidence. More studies are needed to elucidate the physiologic mechanisms underpinning stem cell aging, aiming at developing novel methods that may extend the functional lifespan of stem cells in a safe, reproducible, effective and tuneable way.

Published Date: 2025-04-12; Received Date: 2024-03-18