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.

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.

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.

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

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell (MSC) biology has been studied for more than 4 decades and the cells have been investigated for potential clinical applications for more than 15 years. Progress has become exponential over the past decade due mainly to the broad therapeutic potential of these cells. However, MSC studies have also been subject to controversy and increasing scrutiny as new mechanisms of action are reported and ever-expanding therapeutic applications pursued. In this book, leading authorities from all over the world, who are actively involved in this field, provide state-of-the-art knowledge of the basic biology, translational requirements and latest clinical experience with MSCs. This cutting edge book is the ideal resource for scientists and clinicians interested in pursuing an important and rapidly developing field of research that will eventually help patients and address urgent unmet medical needs. Features include: Coverage of the biology of MSCs, latest understanding of mechanisms of action, and role in tissue homeostasis and regeneration Identifying the potential of MSCs in proceeding from bench to bedside from regulatory , GMP production, ethical and safety aspects Critical analysis of clinical studies and the potential of MSCs to treat a wide variety of human diseases and tissues.

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.

Neural stem cells offer a valuable model system for delineating the cellular and developmental processes in normal and diseased states of the central nervous system. In particular, neural stem cells have huge potential in regenerative medicine, owing to their expansion capability in culture and the ability to differentiate into multiple sub-neural lineages. Neural Stem Cell Assays provides a detailed and comprehensive review of the basic methods for neural stem cell cultures. Including an overview of progress in the field over the past decade, Neural Stem Cell Assays is a one-stop reference for consistent methods and reliable tools that span the entire assay work flow, from isolation or generation of neural stem cells to characterization, manipulation and final application of neural stem cells in disease paradigms such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. An excellent source of information for academic, pharmaceutical and biotechnology researchers who are new to the neural stem cell field, Neural Stem Cell Assays is an invaluable to experienced users who wish to integrate newly developed tools and technologies into their workflow. The book also covers important course material for students at the undergraduate and graduate level who are learning the basics of neural stem cell cultures, and differentiation to sub-neural lineages.