Open AccessMesenchymal stem cells and COVID-19: What they do and what they can do
Author(s) -
Ejlal AbuElRub,
Ramada R. Khasawneh,
Fatimah Almahasneh,
Zaid Altaany,
Nesreen Bataineh,
Hana M. Zegallai,
Saravanan Sekaran
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
world journal of stem cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.907
H-Index - 18
ISSN - 1948-0210
DOI - 10.4252/wjsc.v13.i9.1318
Subject(s) - mesenchymal stem cell , covid-19 , stem cell , virology , medicine , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , outbreak , pathology , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty)
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exhausted the health systems in many countries with thousands cases diagnosed daily. The currently used treatment guideline is to manage the common symptoms like fever and cough, but doesn't target the virus itself or halts serious complications arising from this viral infection. Currently, SARS-CoV-2 exhibits many genetic modulations which have been associated with the appearance of highly contagious strains. The number of critical cases of COVID-19 increases markedly, and many of the infected people die as a result of respiratory failure and multiple organ dysfunction. The regenerative potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been extensively studied and confirmed. The impressive immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory activity of MSCs have been recognized as a golden opportunity for the treatment of COVID-19 and its associated complications. Moreover, MSCs regenerative and repairing abilities have been corroborated by many studies with positive outcomes and high recovery rates. Based on that, MSCs infusion could be an effective mechanism in managing and stemming the serious complications and multiple organ failure associated with COVID-19. In the present review, we discuss the commonly reported complications of COVID-19 viral infection and the established and anticipated role of MSCs in managing these complications.