Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis: Harnessing Immunological Properties

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease triggered by damage to the central nervous system (CNS). This CNS damage is caused by the attack of autoreactive T cells against the myelin sheath. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of MS, and the condition causes serious disabilities and exerts substantial health burdens. Although various disease-modifying agents have been developed, they have critical limitations; hence, effective interventions are required. In this context, cell transplantation therapy using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), hematopoietic stem cells, neural precursors, neural stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells is considered a feasible alternative therapeutic approach. MSCs are adult stem cells that differentiate into multiple lineages and exert immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and neuroregenerative effects. Therefore, MSCs are considered a promising treatment option for MS owing to their ease of isolation and low immunogenicity. This review summarizes the potential therapeutic benefits of the latest MSC-based approaches for MS treatment in animal models and humans. Furthermore, the review discusses the immunological role of MSCs and future directions for their applications.