Mesenchymal stem cells: biology and potential in the treatment of patients with connective tissue disease
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells are a unique type of cells that have the ability of differentiation to another cell type and modulation of the immune system. Mesenchymal stem cells are easily obtainable from many tissues, they are able to differentiate in osteocytes, chondrocytes and adipocytes and capable to produce various immunomodulatory and immunoregulatory factors.
Knowledge of the origin, life cycle and function is important for understanding of their mechanism of action in the treatment of multiple disorders, inclusive of autoimmune rheumatic diseases (i.e. systemic lupus erythematodes and rheumatoid arthritis). The aim of this review is to raise public awareness of the properties of mesenchymal stem cells and the possibilities of their potential exploitation in the treatment of connective tissue disorders.