When stem cells meet COVID-19: recent advances, challenges and future perspectives

Area of Science:

• * Regenerative Medicine
• * Virology
• * Public Health

Background:

• * Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, presents a significant global health crisis with high infection and mortality rates.
• * Primary manifestations include hypoxic respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome, potentially leading to multi-organ failure.
• * Current supportive care lacks definitive therapies, highlighting the urgent need for novel treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To systematically review and prospectively analyze the role of stem cell therapy in combating COVID-19.
• * To evaluate the application of stem cell-derived organoid models in COVID-19 research.
• * To provide a reference for global pandemic control strategies.

Main Methods:

• * Systematic review of existing literature on stem cell therapy for COVID-19.
• * Analysis of studies utilizing stem cell-derived organoid models for COVID-19 research.
• * Prospective outlook on future applications and research directions.

Main Results:

• * Stem cell therapy shows potential in mitigating COVID-19-related lung injury and inflammation.
• * Stem cell-derived organoids serve as valuable in vitro models for studying SARS-CoV-2 infection and testing therapeutics.
• * Both approaches are emerging as critical tools in understanding and treating COVID-19.

Conclusions:

• * Stem cell therapy and organoid models represent innovative strategies against COVID-19.
• * Further research is crucial to optimize these approaches for clinical application.
• * These advancements are vital for effective global control of the COVID-19 pandemic.