Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells : a promising tool in the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases

Abstract

Chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is one of the most common medical complaintsworldwide and musculoskeletal injuries have an enormous social and economical impact. Currentpharmacological and surgical treatments aim to relief pain and restore function; however,unsatiscactory outcomes are commonly reported. In order to find an accurate treatment to suchpathologies, over the last years, there has been a significantly increasing interest in cellular therapies,such as adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs). These cells represent a relatively newstrategy in regenerative medicine, with many potential applications, especially regarding MSKdisorders, and preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated their efficacy in muscle, tendon,bone and cartilage regeneration. Nevertheless, several worries about their safety and side effects atlong-term remain unsolved. This article aims to review the current state of AMSCs therapy in thetreatment of several MSK diseases and their clinical applications in veterinary and human medicine.