Stem cell therapy as a promising strategy in necrotizing enterocolitis

Si-Jia Di; Si-Yuan Wu; Tian-Jing Liu; Yong-Yan Shi

doi:10.1186/s10020-022-00536-y

Stem cell therapy as a promising strategy in necrotizing enterocolitis

Mol Med. 2022 Sep 6;28(1):107. doi: 10.1186/s10020-022-00536-y.

Authors

Si-Jia Di¹, Si-Yuan Wu¹, Tian-Jing Liu¹, Yong-Yan Shi²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China.
² Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, China. yyshi@cmu.edu.cn.

Abstract

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating gastrointestinal disease that affects newborns, particularly preterm infants, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. No effective therapeutic strategies to decrease the incidence and severity of NEC have been developed to date. Stem cell therapy has been explored and even applied in various diseases, including gastrointestinal disorders. Animal studies on stem cell therapy have made great progress, and the anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and intestinal barrier enhancing effects of stem cells may be protective against NEC clinically. In this review, we discuss the therapeutic mechanisms through which stem cells may function in the treatment of NEC.

Keywords: Infants; Necrotizing enterocolitis; Stem cells.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Animals
Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
Enterocolitis, Necrotizing* / therapy
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
Intestines
Stem Cells