Modular mastery of inflammation: umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells as a therapeutic frontier
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Inflammation operates as a dual-edged sword in physiological defense and pathological damage, driving conditions from diabetes to neurodegeneration. Current anti-inflammatory therapies-NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and biologics-face clinical bottlenecks including non-specific toxicity, therapeutic ceiling effects, and drug resistance. Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) emerge as a transformative alternative, leveraging three synergistic modules: Immune reprogramming, Inflammasome inhibition, Intercellular communication. Clinical trials demonstrate efficacy in inflammatory bowel disease, COVID-19 ARDS, and graft-versus-host disease. UC-MSCs outperform conventional therapies by multi-pathway modulation and tissue-regenerative capacity, though challenges persist in cell heterogeneity and long-term safety. Future work must standardize dosing protocols and validate scalable production for clinical translation.
Source: Frontiers in Immunology
Authors: Li Yin, Chen-yang Sun, Gui-lai Chen, Zhuo Xiang, Bao-quan Hu, Fang Zhou, Qiang Wang
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W4417479435