You’ve just heard about the benefits of stem cell therapy, but the confusing terminology is making it difficult to fully understand how this innovative therapy works.
In this article, we’ll explain how stem cell therapy promotes neoangiogenesis and why it’s so important in the healing process.
Mechanisms of Neoangiogenesis
The term neoangiogenesis refers to the formation of new blood vessels from existing ones. The formation of new blood vessels is crucial, as it helps supply oxygen-rich blood to damaged tissues and organs. Neoangiogenesis occurs through two main mechanisms:
● sprouting angiogenesis
In sprouting angiogenesis, new growths “sprout” from existing blood vessels. These new blood vessels can then reach damaged tissues with no blood supply.
● intussusceptive angiogenesis
Intussusceptive angiogenesis is also known as splitting. In this process sprouting does not occur. Instead, one blood vessel splits into two, forming a new blood vessel.
Neoangiogenesis in Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy treats disease through various mechanisms of action, angiogenesis being one of them. When introduced into the body, stem cells differentiate into vascular cells and promote angiogenesis through the secretion of paracrine growth factors. Three different types of cells can promote angiogenesis:
● Endothelial progenitor stem cells (EPCs)
Endothelial progenitor cells are the precursor of blood vessels and, therefore, are very effective at forming new blood vessels.
● Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)
MSCs are one of the most common stem cells used for stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy clinic Swiss Medica uses MSCs because they are safe, effective and ethically sourced. MSCs promote neoangiogenesis through differentiation, cell-to-cell interactions and paracrine effects.
● Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)
iPSCs carry some risk of tumorigenicity. For this reason, iPSCs are used only in experimental research.
Many stem cell clinics also use exosomes in combination with stem cells to promote angiogenesis. Exosomes are vesicles of stem cells that transport substances and communicate with other cells. They can travel in the body more efficiently than stem cells while delivering the same therapeutic benefits.
According to animal studies, exosomes can accelerate angiogenesis. Exosomes also avoid some of the limitations of using stem cells, such as the risk of immune rejection.
Clinical Applications and Benefits
The ability of stem cell therapy to promote angiogenesis makes it a promising treatment for diseases characterized by a lack of blood flow, such as ischemic stroke.
During a stroke, a lack of blood supply to the brain causes the death of brain cells, leading to debilitating cognitive and motor impairments. Stem cells and their exosomes are beneficial in treating stroke victims because they promote the growth of new blood vessels, increasing blood supply to these affected areas of the brain.
While increased blood flow is most beneficial for stroke victims, neoangiogenesis supports the healing process of many conditions.
Through angiogenesis, the body can restore blood flow to damaged tissues, giving the tissues the oxygen and nutrients they need to regenerate. Conversely, impaired angiogenesis slows down the healing process. Angiogenesis can also help in wound repair, which makes stem cell therapy a good fit for treating athletic injuries.
Challenges and Limitations
One challenge with stem cell therapy for angiogenesis is the potential for tumorigenesis. Fortunately, the risk of tumor formation comes only with iPSCs and embryonic stem cells, so many clinics use MSCs or EPCs to avoid this issue. Another limitation is that exosomes used in treatment may have a short lifespan.
While stem cell therapy is a safe and effective way to treat disease through neoangiogenesis, the cost of treatment means that it isn’t accessible to everyone.
Future Directions and Innovations
Exosomes show great potential in promoting angiogenesis, which means research will continue to focus on how to get the most out of exosome therapy, including finding the best delivery methods.
While studies show that stem cell therapy is safe and effective for promoting angiogenesis, more large-scale clinical trials would conclusively establish safety and efficacy and promote the widespread adoption of this therapy.
Future efforts in stem cell research also include finding a cost-effective manufacturing process for stem cells, to make the treatment accessible to the general population.
In conclusion
Stem cell therapy promotes the formation of new blood vessels by secreting paracrine growth factors, providing damaged tissues the oxygen and nutrients they need to heal.
This is especially effective in conditions caused by a lack of blood flow such as stroke. The future of this effective treatment involves more research into how to use stem cell exosomes in treatment and performing large-scale clinical trials to establish safety and efficacy.
