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Gene & Protein in Disease Stem cell-based antimicrobial therapy

and immunomodulation, it may be able to create brand- mimic the actions of their natural counterparts . The
[6]
new treatments that efficiently target and destroy microbes synthetic AMPs have showcased remarkable efficacy in
while causing the least amount of harm to host tissues . neutralizing harmful microorganisms. MSCs, which are
[2]
In low- and middle-income nations with limited present in various tissues such as bone marrow and adipose
access to healthcare and resources for disease control tissue, hold the potential for producing a diverse range of
and prevention, infectious illnesses continue to be a bioactive molecules, including AMPs. The fundamental
considerable burden in addition to the threat posed by idea of this treatment strategy is to genetically modify
antibiotic resistance. For instance, millions of people MSCs to synthesize and secrete synthetic AMPs. On
continue to be affected by illnesses such as tuberculosis, administering to a patient, these engineered MSCs can
malaria, and HIV/AIDS throughout the world, especially continually release the synthetic AMPs, fortifying the
in areas with scarce resources . To address these global innate defense mechanism of the body against infections.
[3]
health issues, there is a need for creative and economical Moreover, stem cells, particularly MSCs, can serve as
treatment approaches that can be scaled up. By providing delivery vehicles for antimicrobial drugs. Researchers
a tailored and individualized approach to antimicrobial can achieve targeted drug delivery by loading these cells
treatment, stem cell-based therapies have the potential with antimicrobial agents and guiding their migration
to solve some of these issues. The ability to develop and toward infected areas through chemical signals. This
differentiate stem cells into particular cell types that can localization enhances the drug’s concentration precisely at
specifically target and eradicate microbial pathogens allows the infection site, optimizing its efficacy while minimizing
for the isolation of stem cells from either the patient’s own systemic side effects. However, this pioneering concept
tissues or from a donor. They are especially desirable for comes with certain challenges and limitations. Ensuring
treating infectious disorders linked to immunological consistent production of synthetic AMPs by MSCs demands
dysfunction because they can modify the immune intricate genetic engineering techniques, and the long-term
response and strengthen host defensive mechanisms . safety implications of introducing genetically modified
[4]
For addressing the problems with infectious diseases and cells into patients need to be rigorously evaluated. In
antimicrobial resistance that threaten global health, stem addition, directing stem cells to exclusively target infected
cell-based therapies for antimicrobial treatment hold tissues, without affecting healthy ones, remains a complex
[7]
significant potential. To improve these treatments and endeavor .
guarantee their safety and efficacy, substantial research and In addition, stem cells may function as a focused delivery
development is still required. route for antimicrobial substances . It may be possible to
[8]
Due to their unique characteristics that make them develop a highly targeted and localized therapy that may
optimal for this application, stem cells have emerged directly eradicate microbial agents without hurting host
as a potential source for the development of new and tissues by engineering stem cells to express AMPs or
targeted treatments for infectious diseases. One of the antibodies. Due to the tremendous potential of stem cells
primary characteristics of stem cells is their ability to as a targeted strategy against infections, there is a growing
differentiate into specialized cell types that can specifically interest in developing stem cell-based therapeutics for
target and eradicate microorganisms. It has been shown a variety of infectious disorders . Significant research
[9]
that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate and development are still required to enhance these
into macrophages, which are vital immune cells that can treatments and ensure their safety and effectiveness. In
engulf and eradicate invasive infections . Stem cells can the sections that follow, we will discuss in greater depth
[5]
differentiate, but they also possess immunomodulatory the mechanisms underlying the antimicrobial activity
properties that can enhance the immune response of the of stem cells, as well as the challenges and opportunities
host and promote the healing of infections. MSCs have associated with the clinical application of stem cell-based
been shown to regulate the production of cytokines and antimicrobial therapy.
chemokines, which are crucial signaling molecules that Compared to conventional medications, which
regulate the immune response. MSCs can also inhibit frequently target general elements of microbial physiology
the activity of immune cells that cause tissue injury and and can have considerable off-target effects on host cells,
inflammation to reduce the severity of infections. stem cells offer a novel strategy for antimicrobial therapy.
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are petite proteins On the other hand, stem cells can be modified to target
of natural occurrence, play a crucial role in safeguarding certain pathogens or infected host cells, making them a
the human body from various pathogenic agents. Scientists highly targeted and customized therapy. In addition, stem
have extended this concept by synthesizing AMPs that cells have the capacity to encourage tissue regeneration

Volume 2 Issue 4 (2023) 2 https://doi.org/10.36922/gpd.1230