Employing Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy To Fight Against COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Review Emerging Area: Stem Cell And Regenerative Medicine Sreekeerthana Kamalesh ( B.Tech Biotechnology, Final Year ) D Y Patil Department Of Biotechnology, Navi Mumbai ABSTRACT : COVID-19 was recently declared a pandemic on 11 March 2020 by world health organization. This global concern momentarily, no vaccine or therapy helps treat COVID-19. This viral infection is caused by SARS-COV-2 which attacks the lung and causes the immune system to become overactive. This leads to a cytokine storm which finally leads to death. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy aid tackle this crucial problem. In this review, we will reveal MSC properties which makes it a promising candidate in the treatment of COVID-19. Also, we will be addressing the challenges, limitations, and future possibilities regarding the same.
INTRODUCTION : Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 ( SARS-CoV-2) is a positive-stranded RNA virus. This belongs to the genus of betacoronavirus of the coronaviridae family.The aforementioned virus was first discovered in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and it causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 spread globally and later WHO announced COVID-19 as pandemic on 11 March 2020. (TaghaviFarahabadi et al., 2020) As of 29 August 2020, there are about 24,953,893 confirmed cases and 842,171 deaths due to COVID-19 [according to www.worldometer.info statistics] SARS-Cov-2 pathogenesis :
KEYWORDS : COVID-19, Mesenchymal stem cell , Pneumonia , SARS-CoV-2 , Immunomodulatory
Source :https://diatribe.org/sites/default/files/images/iStock1215577824.jpg
-Previously across the years mesenchymal stem cells [MSC] were employed in numerous other viral infection . Various benefits include Independent from ethical and social issue, High proliferation rate, Low invasive nature and Multipotent(Rajarshi et al., 2020)
REVIEW OF MSC PROPERTIES AND MSC CLINICAL TRIAL : ( Choudhery & Harris, 2020) REVIEWING SPECIFIC MESENCHYMAL STEM CELL FEATURES IF INJECTED : [2.]D
1.Balancing the immune system [ immune homeostasis and immunosuppressive ] also stops its overactivation
2.Possesses antiviral characteristics [1.]
3.Possesses robust antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory qualities and therefore control cytokine storm
4.Reduce TNFÎą levels and increase IL10 level in ill COVID patient
5. Enhances pulmonary microenvironment, guard the alveolar epithelial cell, inhibit pulmonary fibrosis, and overall lung function.
6. MSCs are negative for ACE2 and TMRSS2 and hence have a natural resistance to SARS-Cov -2
Currently according to www.clinicaltrialgov.com 57 trials are registered all over the world utilizing MSC therapy against COVD-19 condition. During which they will inject MSC doses into COVID-19 patients furthermore observe, analyze, and compare them with the non administered MSC group of COVID-19 patients to check its efficacy , potential , safety and any side effects .
CHALLENGES AND LIMITATON : (Choudhery & Harris, 2020) Invitro expansion is time consuming may reduce functional potential of expanded cell Isolation of clinical grade MSCs, harvested tissue must be in good manufacturing practice compliant facilities (GMP) Rapid preparation in optimal number is another challenge Genomic stability and regenerative potential of expanded MSC is compromised Limitation: MSC can be used as an emergency protocol for management of cytokine storm in critically ill COVID-19 patients
FUTURE PROSPECTS : Insufficient investigations were conducted to conclude the potential, effectiveness, and proper side effects. Proper randomization, larger sample size, proper control group, and quality measure should be done. It is indeed a very promising therapy against COVID-19. REFRENCE :
Picture 1 : Number of clinical trials related to MSC therapy against COVID-19 registered Source :https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results/map?term=mesenchymal+s tem+cell+therapy&cond=covid-19&map=
Choudhery, M. S., & Harris, D. T. (2020). Stem Cell Therapy for Covid-19: Possibilities and Challenges. Rajarshi, K., Chatterjee, A., & Ray, S. (2020). Combating COVID-19 with mesenchymal stem cell therapy. Taghavi-Farahabadi, M., Mahmoudi, M., Soudi, S., & Hashemi, S. M. (2020). Hypothesis for the management and treatment of the COVID-19-