Author:
Weiss Daniel J.,Rolandsson Enes Sara
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of Review
Despite no general conclusions regarding the therapeutic effect of MSCs on virus-induced acute lung injury in pre-clinical studies, a significant number of clinical trials using MSC-based treatment for COVID-19-associated ARDS were initiated during the global pandemic. Here, we aimed to discuss differences and similarities in clinical trials using MSC-based treatments for classical ARDS and COVID-19-associated ARDS and to raise some future perspectives.
Recent Findings
Several pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that MSC treatment may not be a good treatment option for virus infections because MSCs themselves are susceptible to the virus. However, MSCs lack expression of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, suggesting that MSCs are not likely to be infected by the COVID-19 virus. Interestingly, recent meta-analyses demonstrated that an improved survival rate in patients with COVID-19-associated ARDS treated with MSCs was obtained in 24 out of 26 completed clinical trials.
Summary
This review provides comparative perspectives on MSC-based therapy for COVID-19-associated ARDS and classical ARDS.
Funder
the National Institutes of Health
the Swedish Heart Lung Foundation
the Medical Faculty at Lund University,
Lund University
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Cell Biology,Developmental Biology,Genetics,Molecular Biology