Cell-based therapy for therapeutic lymphangiogenesis

Stem Cells Dev. 2015 Feb 1;24(3):271-83. doi: 10.1089/scd.2014.0390. Epub 2014 Dec 9.

Abstract

Lymphedema is a medically irreversible condition for which currently conservative and surgical therapies are either ineffective or impractical. The potential use of progenitor and stem cell-based therapies has offered a paradigm that may provide alternative treatment options for lymphatic disorders. Moreover, basic research, preclinical studies, as well as clinical trials have evaluated the therapeutic potential of various cell therapies in the field of lymphatic regeneration medicine. Among the available cell approaches, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seem to be the most promising candidate mainly due to their abundant sources and easy availability as well as evitable ethical and immunological issues confronted with embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. In this context, the purpose of this review is to summarize various cell-based therapies for lymphedema, along with strengths and weaknesses of these therapies in the clinical application for lymphedema treatment. Particularly, we will highlight the use of MSCs for lymphatic regeneration medicine. In addition, the future perspectives of MSCs in the field of lymphatic regeneration will be discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / transplantation
  • Forecasting
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Homeodomain Proteins / physiology
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / transplantation
  • Lymphangiogenesis* / drug effects
  • Lymphangiogenesis* / genetics
  • Lymphatic System / physiology
  • Lymphedema / surgery*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery
  • Regeneration
  • Transcription Factors / physiology
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / physiology
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / pharmacology
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / therapeutic use
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 / deficiency

Substances

  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C
  • prospero-related homeobox 1 protein
  • vascular endothelial growth factor C, mouse
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3