HSCs are at the base

of BM transplant procedures, i.e. myeloablation or adiuvant therapy where HSCs are infused in the recipient [60]. MSCs originally derive from BM, [1, 8, 47] but they have been isolated from other tissues, such as adipose tissue, periosteum, synovial membrane, synovial fluid (SF), muscle, dermis, deciduous teeth, pericytes, trabecular bone, infrapatellar fat pad, and articular cartilage [1, 19, 47, 61–68]. They are generally restricted to forming only mesodermal-specific cell types such as adipocytes, osteoblasts, myocytes and chondrocytes, but several MSCs are able to differentiate in cells of the three embryonic germ layers [69]. Several of these studies report the differentiation of MSCs into various tissue lineages in vitro and the repair or “”engraftment”" of the damaged organs in vivo, such as bone tissue repair and immune system reconstruction, CP673451 clinical trial but they are even able to differentiate in endothelial cells and contribute to revascularization of the ischemic tissue [3, 70, 71]. In particular, recent studies show that cultured MSCs secrete various bioactive molecules which have got anti-apoptotic, immunomodulatory, angiogenic, anti-scarring and chemo-attractant properties, providing a basis for their use as tools to create local regenerative learn more environments in vivo [72]. Umbilical cord stem cells In the umbilical cord, we can find two types of SC sources, i.e. the umbilical cord epithelium (UCE), derived

from the amniotic membrane epithelium and the umbilical cord blood (UCB) [73]. Although its general architecture significantly differs from MGCD0103 the mammalian epidermis, UCE expresses a cytokeratin pattern similar to human epidermis [74, 75]. UCE Dimethyl sulfoxide is able to form a stratified epithelium when seeded on fibroblast populated collagen gels [76, 77]. It has been

demonstrated that UCE is an important source of the human primary keratinocytes and it is able to recreate the epidermis for dermatological application [78]. In UCB we can find two different types of SCs, i.e. hematopoietic (UC-HS) and mesenchymal (UC-MS). Although UCB SCs are biologically analogous to their adult counterpart, it has been pointed out that UCB cells are characterized by a higher immunological tolerance than their adult counterpart [79]. Indeed UC-MS can produce cytokines which facilitate grafting in the donor, in vitro SC survival and it is more efficient than BM MSC graft [80]. Risks And Obstacles To Stem Cells Application In Clinical Practice Risks SC graft induces therapeutic and side effects. A specific evaluation of the side effects is needed to decide if a cure can be adopted in medical practice. Indeed, scientific research has to outline the severity of undesired effects, their frequency in treated subjects and the possibility to avoid, reduce or abate them. The major limitations to the success of HSC transplantation (HSCT) are respiratory complications and graft versus host disease.