Olfactory Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: A Potential Therapeutic Approach for Central Nervous System Repair

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune mediated demyelinating disease that occurs in the central nervous system (CNS). The loss of myelin creates a disturbance in the flow of the electrical signals in the nerve cells leading to a range of neurological symptoms. Currently, only the inflammatory component is managed with no cure for the disease itself. A possible therapeutic approach is stem-cell based therapies. Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) have been considered, but have limitations in promoting myelination. A newer approach is to utilize olfactory mucosa-derived MSCs (OM-MSCs) since they exist in a neurogenetic niche and provide more myelination enhancement. In this investigation, an in vitro and in vivo comparison of BM-MSCs and OM-MSCs was undertaken. OM-MSC condition media (CM) showed significant outcomes regarding OPC differentiation and the promotion of myelination in vitro. In the animal model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), OM-MSC transplanted animals had reduced inflammation, myelin loss and astrocyte reactivity unlike BM-MSCs. This study also investigated the effect of OM-MSC-CM on IL-16-induced astrocyte reactivity in vitro. However, there was no significant effect. Taken together, our findings suggest that OM-MSCs should be considered as a therapeutic candidate to promote myelin repair in MS.