Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Double-Edged Approach for Managing Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Lesions

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Leishmania spp. are intracellular protozoan parasites responsible for leishmaniasis, a globally prevalent vector-borne disease transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies. Within vertebrate hosts, the parasites preferentially infect macrophages and dendritic cells, leading to cell lysis and the formation of disfiguring lesions. Current treatment regimens are hampered by high toxicity, prolonged administration protocols, and severe side effects, underscoring the need for safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), multipotent non-haematopoietic progenitors with fibroblast-like characteristics, possess self-renewal capacity and the ability to differentiate into various functional cell types. Their intrinsic immunomodulatory and antimicrobial properties have positioned MSCs as promising candidates for combating infectious diseases, including leishmaniasis. This review systematically synthesises experimental evidence on the effects of MSCs on Leishmania parasites and the associated lesions, investigates the potential healing mechanisms of MSCs in the context of Leishmania infection, and outlines future research directions in this evolving field. A comprehensive literature search-spanning Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar up to 31 May 2024-identified 11 relevant studies: eight from Iran, two from Brazil, and one from Turkey. While Bra

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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