Cellular factors derived from mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells with regeneration effects

Regeneration effects with cellular factors are considered essential in regenerative treatments. Cellular factors derived from multiple cells can be applied in such therapies. Various clinical trial phases are based on studies of mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells (MSPCs). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are pluripotent stem cells which have multi-directional differentiation potential. MSPCs may exhibit full stem cell functions and can be obtained from different tissues, such as adipose tissue, umbilical cord and bone marrow etc. MSPCs reside in the perivascular niche that is proximal to blood vessels, which allow MSPCs capable of exerting their potential of homing and migration across the endothelium barrier toward lesion sites for tissue repairing or regeneration. MSPCs can be stimulated to release various factors, including surface molecules, growth factors and inhibitory factors. MSPCs’ homing potential depends on the expressing of certain surface molecules. The growth and inhibitory factors contribute to tissue regeneration and immunomodulation effects. This review provides details of how cellular factors derived from MSPCs can be used for homing and repair mechanisms, and ultimately be applied to clinical settings.