The Role of Neurotropic Factors Derived from Stem Cells in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a major neurodegenerative disease, which is characterized by the accumulation of abnormal pathogenic proteins due to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired autophagy, and pathogens, leading to neurodegeneration and behavioralabnormality. MS is characterized by the presence of lesions or plaques predominantly in the white matter region of the brain and spinal cord. Currently, no cure exists for this disease, and available drugs provide only symptomatic relief. Several studies have highlighted the potential role of cell therapy in the treatment of MS pathology. Clinical trials using stem cells such as mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) in MS patients haveshown safety and efficacy. It is well established that MSC transplantation is an approach to regulate the immune system in MS by modulating different signaling pathways and cellular factors. The protective role of neurotrophic factors have emerged in MS research in various surveys.Neurotrophins are a group of structurally related proteins and are able to prevent neural death and improve neural regeneration and remyelination. Notably, stem cells by the release of neurotrophic factors have the ability to protect neuronal population and can efficiently suppress the formation of new lesions in MS patients. Therefore, the future perspectives involve further studies on the insights into mechanisms underlying the cell therapy and neurotherapeutic factors in MS treatment. In this review the role of cell therapy and neurotrphic factors in MS treatment is presented and potential future therapeutic options are discussed.