Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 18, 2025
Microbioreactor-Based Production of Anchorage-Dependent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Primed for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Published on: December 12, 2025
Can mesenchymal stem cell therapy be the interim management of COVID-19?
Chitra Bamba1, Surinder P Singh2, Sangeeta Choudhury1
1Department of Research, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Abstract:
COVID-19 pandemic has accounted for ~ 4.3 million confirmed cases and ~ 292,000 deaths (till 12th May, 2020) across the globe since its outbreak. Several anti-viral drugs such as RNA dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors (remdesivir, favipiravir, ribavirin), protease inhibitors (lopinavir, ritonavir) and drugs targeting endocytic pathway (hydroxychloroquine) are being evaluated for COVID-19 but standard therapeutics yet not available. Severe health deterioration in critically ill patients is characterized by pulmonary edema, severe respiratory distress, cytokine storm and septic shock. To combat cytokine storm, immune-therapy targeting IL-1, IL-2, IL-6 and TNFα are being evaluated and one of the promising immune-modulator is the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that can surmount the severity of COVID-19 infections. Recent studies have shown that MSC-therapy significantly dampens the cytokine storm in critically ill COVID-19 patients. This communication endows with the insight of stem cell therapy and summarizes the recent studies on COVID-19 patients.
Insights
Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy shows promise in treating severe COVID-19 by reducing the dangerous cytokine storm. This immune-modulating therapy offers a potential new avenue for managing critical COVID-19 infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic caused millions of cases and deaths globally by May 2020.
- Critical COVID-19 patients experience severe respiratory distress and cytokine storms.
- Existing treatments for COVID-19 are still under evaluation, with no standard therapeutics established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide insight into stem cell therapy for COVID-19.
- To summarize recent studies on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in COVID-19 patients.
- To highlight MSCs as a potential immunomodulator against cytokine storms.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on MSC therapy and COVID-19.
- Analysis of MSCs' role in modulating immune responses.
- Focus on studies investigating MSCs in critically ill COVID-19 patients.
Main Results:
- Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has demonstrated significant potential in dampening the cytokine storm in severe COVID-19 cases.
- MSCs exhibit immunomodulatory properties beneficial for managing hyperinflammation.
- Recent studies indicate MSC therapy can mitigate disease severity in critically ill patients.
Conclusions:
- Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is a promising immunomodulatory approach for severe COVID-19.
- MSC therapy may help manage the cytokine storm and improve outcomes in critical patients.
- Further research into MSCs offers a potential therapeutic strategy against COVID-19 complications.
More Related Videos
07:50Delayed Intramyocardial Delivery of Stem Cells after Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in a Murine Model
Published on: September 3, 2020
07:45Ultrasound-guided Intracardiac Injection of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Increase Homing to the Intestine for Use in Murine Models of Experimental Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Published on: September 1, 2017
Related Concept Videos
01:19Mesenchymal Stem Cells
01:21Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell...