Stem Cell Applications: A Promising Future for Autoimmune Diseases?

Abstract

Autoimmune diseases are a group of conditions characterized by a mistakenly immune response against the body's own tissues. Although there are over 100 different types of autoimmune diseases, some of the most wellknown examples include diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and multiple sclerosis (MS). While the exact pathogenesis of these diseases is not yet fully understood, current treatment methods are mostly palliative and can cause unwanted side effects without offering a cure. Stem cell (SC) applications, on the other hand, offer a promising alternative for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Stem cells are not only unspecified and pivotal cell types present in tissues and organs, but also they can be regenerated and differentiated into any other cell types according to the needs of the body. Several types of SCs have been investigated for their potential use in autoimmune diseases, including induced pluripotent stem cells, embryonic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and hematopoietic stem cells. These SCs have revolutionized biomedical applications in autoimmune disorders due to their immunomodulatory effects despite some conflicts about their biology, safety, and manipulation in applications before their use as therapeutic agents. In this chapter, we not only cover some common autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, RA, MS, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Graves’ disease but also examine potential SCs applications in detail, as well as discuss whether they can be cutting-edge therapy and a turning point in autoimmune diseases compared to conventional methods. Additionally, current methodologies of using SCs in autoimmune diseases are examined, and future perspectives are highlighted to further explore this promising field.

Cite this article as: Safgöl Ö, Erbaş O. Stem Cell Applications: A Promising Future for Autoimmune Diseases?. JEB Med Sci 2024;5(1):69-80.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.