Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for acute radiation syndrome: innovative medical approaches in military medicine

Abstract

After a radiological or nuclear event, acute radiation syndrome (ARS) will present complex medical challenges that could involve the treatment of hundreds to thousands of patients. Current medical doctrine is based on limited clinical data and remains inadequate. Efforts to develop medical innovations that address ARS complications are unlikely to be generated by industry because of market uncertainties specific to this type of injury. A prospective strategy could be the integration of cellular therapy to meet the medical demands of ARS. The most clinically advanced cellular therapy to date is the administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Results of currently published investigations describing MSC safety and efficacy in a variety of injury and disease models demonstrate the unique qualities of this reparative cell population in adapting to the specific requirements of the damaged tissue in which the cells integrate. This report puts forward a rationale for the further evaluation of MSC therapy to address the current unmet medical needs of ARS. We propose that the exploration of this novel therapy for the treatment of the multivariate complications of ARS could be of invaluable benefit to military medicine.

Keywords: Acute radiation syndrome; Cell therapy; Gastrointestinal syndrome; Hematopoietic syndrome; Mesenchymal stem cell; Radiation injury.

Figure 1

Growth and differentiation of MSCs. Freshly plated bone marrow contains mature blood cells, HSCs, and MSCs. Media changes result in the formation of small MSC colonies because of the differential adhesion properties of MSCs. These small groups of adherent cells generate an environment that supports the survival and growth of HSCs and (Panel A). Long-term confluent MSC cultures form the typical swirled pattern characteristic of this cell type (Panel B). MSCs can be induced to mature along the osteogenic differentiation pathway, as shown by calcium deposition staining (Panel C) and alkaline phosphatase activity staining (Panel D). Adipogenic maturation is signified by Oil Red O staining (Panel E) and LipidTox Red uptake (Panel F).