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Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (생화학분자생물학회)
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Immunomodulatory effect of mesenchymal stem cells and mesenchymal stem-cell-derived exosomes for COVID-19 treatment

  • Jayaramayya, Kaavya (Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University) ;
  • Mahalaxmi, Iyer (Department of Zoology, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women) ;
  • Subramaniam, Mohana Devi (SN ONGC Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Vision Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya campus) ;
  • Raj, Neethu (Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University) ;
  • Dayem, Ahmed Abdal (Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University) ;
  • Lim, Kyung Min (Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University) ;
  • Kim, Se Jong (Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University) ;
  • An, Jong Yub (Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University) ;
  • Lee, Yoonjoo (Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University) ;
  • Choi, Yujin (Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University) ;
  • Kirubhakaran, Arthi (Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University) ;
  • Cho, Ssang-Goo (Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University) ;
  • Vellingiri, Balachandar (Human Molecular Cytogenetics and Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University)
  • Received : 2020.06.05
  • Published : 2020.08.31
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Abstract

The world has witnessed unimaginable damage from the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Because the pandemic is growing rapidly, it is important to consider diverse treatment options to effectively treat people worldwide. Since the immune system is at the hub of the infection, it is essential to regulate the dynamic balance in order to prevent the overexaggerated immune responses that subsequently result in multiorgan damage. The use of stem cells as treatment options has gained tremendous momentum in the past decade. The revolutionary measures in science have brought to the world mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-Exo) as therapeutic opportunities for various diseases. The MSCs and MSC-Exos have immunomodulatory functions; they can be used as therapy to strike a balance in the immune cells of patients with COVID-19. In this review, we discuss the basics of the cytokine storm in COVID-19, MSCs, and MSC-derived exosomes and the potential and stem-cell-based ongoing clinical trials for COVID-19.

Keywords

References

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