Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Potential Therapeutics for Organ Fibrosis

Deposition of fibrous connective tissue within the extracellular matrix is initially an adaptive and reversible wound-healing process. However, persistent dysregulation of fibrotic signaling pathways induces irreversible cellular dysfunction, tissue degeneration and organ failure. Despite the high mortality rate associated with fibrotic diseases, there are very limited approved anti-fibrotic treatments and there is no therapeutic drug effective enough to completely invert the fibrotic process. Accordingly, new therapeutic agents that will attenuate ongoing fibrosis and, at the same time, promote regeneration of injured tissue are urgently needed. The search for new therapies has been revolutionized by recent advances in stem cell biology. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising candidates for the therapy of organ fibrosis because of their differentiation capabilities and immunomodulatory properties. The capacity of MSCs to suppress chronic inflammation and promote tissue repair and regeneration underlies their therapeutic effects in diseases such as liver cirrhosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, cardiac fibrosis, systemic sclerosis, and renal fibrosis. In this review, we summarize the present understanding of fibrotic disease, highlight promising research avenues, including MSC-based treatment options, and discuss the challenges involved with the clinical application of MSCs.