Mesenchymal Stem Cells have seen an unprecedented level of interest in the last decade, primarily due to their relative ease of isolation, the large numbers of cells present in the adult, and the ability to propagate these cells in culture. In Mesenchymal Stem Cell Assays and Applications, expert researchers from across the globe explore the latest techniques to propagate, characterize, and engineer this special cell type. Chapters outline a set of protocols and assays used by leading investigators in the field, providing standards that can be applied by all researchers to the population of cells used in their experiments. Composed in the highly successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, each chapter contains a brief introduction, step-by-step methods, a list of necessary materials, and a Notes section which shares tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Ground-breaking and current, Mesenchymal Stem Cell Assays and Applications is a necessary handbook for all researchers working with this ambiguous population of cells.

Engineered MSCs from Patient-Specific iPS Cells, by Irina Eberle, Mohsen Moslem, Reinhard Henschler, Tobias Cantz Fate of Intravenously Injected Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Significance for Clinical Application, by Beate Wagner, Reinhard Henschler The Implications of Stem Cell Applications for Diseases of the Respiratory System, by Mei Ling Lim, Philipp Jungebluth, Paolo Macchiarini Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Applications in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, by Birgit Weyand, Peter M. Vogt General Principles for the Regeneration of Bone and Cartilage, by Michael Jagodzinski, C. Haasper Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells Explored in the Dental Field, by K. M. Fawzy El-Sayed, C. Dörfer, F. Fändrich, F. Gieseler, M. H. Moustafa, H. Ungefroren Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy and Lung Diseases, by Khondoker M. Akram, Sohel Samad, Monica Spiteri, Nicholas R. Forsyth Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Cellular Immunotherapeutics in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, by Claudia Papewalis, Daniela Topolar, Barbara Götz, Stefan Schönberger, Dagmar Dilloo New Cell-Based Therapy Paradigm: Induction of Bone Marrow-Derived Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells into Pro-Inflammatory MSC1 and Anti-inflammatory MSC2 Phenotypes, by Aline M. Betancourt Interactions Between Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Dendritic Cells, by Grazia Maria Spaggiari, Lorenzo Moretta MSC and Tumors: Homing, Differentiation, and Secretion Influence Therapeutic Potential, by Naomi D’souza, Jorge Sans Burns, Giulia Grisendi, Olivia Candini, Elena Veronesi, Serena Piccinno, Edwin M. Horwitz, Paolo Paolucci, Pierfranco Conte, Massimo Dominici Sources of Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Current and Future Clinical Use, by Michela Pozzobon, Martina Piccoli, Paolo De Coppi Role of the EU Framework in Regulation of Stem Cell-Based Products, by Giovanni Migliaccio, Cristina Pintus

For over forty years, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been scrutinized and studied, garnering much attention due to their broad therapeutic efficacy. In this essential book, leaders in the field were assembled to contribute detailed methodologies for the isolation and characterization of human and rodent MSCs. Cutting edge and easy to use, this book is the perfect resource for scientists attempting to pursue this important and ever-developing field of research.

This book focuses on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) of animal origin, including their isolation, characterization, and clinical applications. After briefly discussing the historical development of the field of stem cell research, it describes the basic properties and nature of stem cells particularly in relation to MSCs. In turn, it reviews materials and methods used to isolate MSCs from various sources, culture expansion, characterization and long-term storage. It also explores the therapeutic efficacy, immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory, and differentiation properties of MSCs. Importantly, the book discusses the applications of genetic engineering to enhance the efficacy and potential of MSCs in regenerative medicine. The book largely addresses the potential applications of mesenchymal stem cells in therapies for important species of domesticated animals including sheep, goats, cattle, buffalo, cats, dogs and horses. Finally, the book presents an abridgement of challenges and future prospects of stem cell research and application in medicine, in general and veterinary sciences, in particular.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Human Health and Diseases provides a contemporary overview of the fast-moving field of MSC biology, regenerative medicine and therapeutics. MSCs offer the potential to dramatically reduce human suffering from disease. Numerous MSC-based studies are ongoing each year, each offering hope for novel treatments in human disease. This book provides information on MSC application in well-studied human diseases and tissue repair/regeneration and recent advances in their research and treatment. These discoveries are placed within the structural context of tissue and developmental biology in sections dealing with recent advances in our understanding of MSC biology. Includes insights ranging from MSC biology and development through the derivation and identification and properties of MSCs Helps to identify potential innovative solutions for restoring normal morphogenesis and/or regeneration of diseased organs Discusses the fact-based promise of MSC therapeutics and regenerative medicine in the real world

Over the past decade, significant efforts have been made to develop stem cell-based therapies for difficult to treat diseases. Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells, also referred to as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), appear to hold great promise in regards to a regenerative cell-based therapy for the treatment of these diseases. Currently, more than 200 clinical trials are underway worldwide exploring the use of MSCs for the treatment of a wide range of disorders including bone, cartilage and tendon damage, myocardial infarction, graft-versus-host disease, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, critical limb ischemia and many others. MSCs were first identified by Friendenstein and colleagues as an adherent stromal cell population within the bone marrow with the ability to form clonogenic colonies in vitro. In regards to the basic biology associated with MSCs, there has been tremendous progress towards understanding this cell population’s phenotype and function from a range of tissue sources. Despite enormous progress and an overall increased understanding of MSCs at the molecular and cellular level, several critical questions remain to be answered in regards to the use of these cells in therapeutic applications. Clinically, both autologous and allogenic approaches for the transplantation of MSCs are being explored. Several of the processing steps needed for the clinical application of MSCs, including isolation from various tissues, scalable in vitro expansion, cell banking, dose preparation, quality control parameters, delivery methods and numerous others are being extensively studied. Despite a significant number of ongoing clinical trials, none of the current therapeutic approaches have, at this point, become a standard of care treatment. Although exceptionally promising, the clinical translation of MSC-based therapies is still a work in progress. The extensive number of ongoing clinical trials is expected to provide a clearer path forward for the realization and implementation of MSCs in regenerative medicine. Towards this end, reviews of current clinical trial results and discussions of relevant topics association with the clinical application of MSCs are compiled in this book from some of the leading researchers in this exciting and rapidly advancing field. Although not absolutely all-inclusive, we hope the chapters within this book can promote and enable a better understanding of the translation of MSCs from bench-to-bedside and inspire researchers to further explore this promising and quickly evolving field.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Isolation, Characterization, and Applications thoroughly presents the isolation, characterization, and some applications of mesenchymal stem cells in the clinic. The book has two parts: "Isolation and Characterization" and "Clinical Perspectives and Applications." In Part I, the subsequent chapters introduce some techniques in isolation, characterization, and purification of mesenchymal stem cells in different tissues. In Part II, some applications of mesenchymal stem cells in the popular diseases, which include cartilage regeneration, spinal cord injury, and osteoarthritis, are discussed. This book provides a succinct yet comprehensive overview of mesenchymal stem cells for advanced students, graduate students, and researchers.