Mesenchymal: Major Pathologies

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are cells that can differentiate into bone cells, fat cells, or cartilage cells, and are primarily found in umbilical cord tissue, the developing tooth bud of the mandibular third molar, amniotic fluid, as well as in adipose tissue. They are multipotent stromal cells and their ability to differentiate has led researchers to started using MSCs for the treatment of pathologies such as Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, osteoarthritis, lung disease, ischemic heart failure, melanoma, breast cancer, thyroid cancer, kidney disease, autoimmune diseases, and many more. While MSCs can be used for tissue repair, if damaged, they can also contribute to the progression of certain types of pathologies such as kidney disease, lung fibrosis, and mesenchymal tumors.