Mesenchymal Stem Cells Therapy for COVID-19: From Basic Research to Clinical Trial

The novel pathogenic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a serious challenge for human health. In severe cases, patients suffer from acute respiratory distress syndrome even organ failure, usually owing to the dysregulated immune response and widespread inflammation. Considering that there is no known cure for COVID-19 despite the increased morbidity and mortality rate of COVID-19, modalities targeting immunity and inflammation may be promising therapeutics against COVID-19. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possessing immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antiviral properties, can be of potential benefit to a subset of severe and critically ill patients with COVID-19. In the present study, we described the underlying mechanisms of MSCs therapy and provided a thorough research study on the recent clinical trials of MSCs for SARS-CoV-2 infection.