Potential of Nano-Engineered Stem Cells in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: A Comprehensive Review

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)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and degrading autoimmune disorder mainly targeting the central nervous system, leading to progressive neurodegeneration, demyelination, and axonal damage. Current treatment options for MS are limited in efficacy, generally linked to adverse side effects, and do not offer a cure. Stem cell therapies have emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for MS, potentially promoting remyelination, exerting immunomodulatory effects and protecting against neurodegeneration. Therefore, this review article focussed on the potential of nano-engineering in stem cells as a therapeutic approach for MS, focusing on the synergistic effects of combining stem cell biology with nanotechnology to stimulate the proliferation of oligodendrocytes (OLs) from neural stem cells and OL precursor cells, by manipulating neural signalling pathways-PDGF, BMP, Wnt, Notch and their essential genes such as Sox, bHLH, Nkx. Here we discuss the pathophysiology of MS, the use of various types of stem cells in MS treatment and their mechanisms of action. In the context of nanotechnology, we present an overview of its applications in the medical and research field and discuss different methods and materials used to nano-engineer stem cells, including surface modification, biomaterials and scaffolds, and nanoparticle-based delivery systems. We further elaborate on nano-engineered st

Evidence level

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

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