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Gene & Protein in Disease Stem cell-based antimicrobial therapy

of differentiating into macrophages, which are essential an anti-inflammatory response, and reducing tissue
immune cells responsible for phagocytosis and elimination damage brought on by inflammation. It has been noted that
of foreign pathogens . In addition, stem cells have the immune cells that cause tissue inflammation and injury
[29]
ability to produce and release AMPs and proteins, which can be inhibited by stem cells. T-cells, a crucial component
can directly inhibit the proliferation of microorganisms of immune cells that significantly contribute to tissue
or cause their demise. Peptides and proteins are capable injury in autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, can be
[34]
of disrupting the cell membranes of microorganisms, inhibited in their activity by MSCs . MSCs have the capacity
impeding the replication of microbial DNA, preventing to reduce tissue damage and enhance tissue regeneration by
protein synthesis, and interfering with the physiology of regulating the activity of these cells. Activation of MSC using
micro-organisms as a whole. Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands exhibited a noteworthy
augmentation in the generation of the AMP called CXCL10,
The ability of human embryonic stem cells to produce
AMPs with inhibitory effects against bacteria, fungi, and while simultaneously suppressing bacterial proliferation
in an artificial environment. Among the TLR agonists
viruses has been demonstrated . However, the ability of examined in vitro, poly(I:C), a TLR3 agonist, displayed the
[30]
defensins, cathelicidins, and histatins to inhibit microbial greatest efficacy. In the context of chronic S. aureus infection,
growth and disrupt microbial cell membranes remain MSC activation with poly(I: C) elicited a reduction in the
contentious. Similarly, MSCs are capable of releasing quantitative assessment of bacterial presence .
[35]
cathelicidin, an AMP that eliminates microbes by interfering
with their cell membranes . It is possible to manipulate In addition, stem cells can promote the development
[31]
stem cells to generate artificial AMPs that target specific of regulatory T-cells, which are essential for maintaining
microorganisms. For example, scientists have manipulated immunological homeostasis and preventing unnecessary
MSCs to generate a synthetic AMP that is effective against immune activation. Regulatory T-cells have the ability to
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a variant of inhibit the function of other immune cells that participate
S. aureus resistant to many conventional antibiotics. The in the inflammatory response and cause harm to tissues,
modified MSCs showed efficient bactericidal action against while also facilitating the process of tissue repair. MSCs
methicillin-resistant S. aureus in both in vitro and in vivo have demonstrated the ability to enhance the generation
animal infection models . Nonetheless, the antibacterial of regulatory T-cells and mitigate inflammation in animal
[32]
abilities of stem cells are complex and situational. models of bacterial pneumonia, resulting in enhanced
bacterial elimination and pulmonary performance .
[36]
As compact protein molecules, AMPs perform a vital Studies conducted on animal models of viral encephalitis
function in the immune defense mechanism of the body have demonstrated that the transplantation of neural stem
by combating various pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, cells can effectively mitigate inflammation and facilitate
and fungi. Immune cells represent the natural source of the regeneration of neurons. The manipulation of the host’s
these peptides. Driven by the desire for more controllable immune response through stem cells presents a hopeful
production of AMPs, recently, there has been a surge in the direction for the advancement of innovative and efficacious
studies regarding the feasibility of artificially synthesizing antimicrobial treatments . Stem cells have the potential
[37]
AMPs as potential therapeutic agents. These peptides are to regulate infections and facilitate tissue regeneration by
designed to imitate natural AMPs and can exterminate or inducing an anti-inflammatory response and mitigating
hinder the proliferation of harmful microorganisms. The tissue damage. Systemic administration of activated MSCs
human body houses a store of MSCs, which are present in to mice with pre-existing S. aureus biofilm infections
different tissues such as adipose and bone marrow. MSCs resulted in a notable reduction in bacterial quantities at
can generate a range of bioactive molecules, including the site of the wound, thus leading to an enhancement in
AMPs. Researchers are studying the concept of genetically wound healing, particularly when executed in conjunction
engineering MSCs to generate artificial AMPs . The with antibiotic treatment .
[33]
[38]
introduction of these engineered MSCs to patients could Table 1 provides an organized breakdown of the
pave the way for a novel therapeutic approach in combating key steps involved in the mechanism of synthetic AMP
infections. These cells would continuously synthesize and production within MSCs. It highlights how genetic
discharge synthetic AMPs, amplifying the body’s capability modification, transcription, translation, and cellular
to fight infections.
processes contribute to the production and release of
Stem cells have the ability to alter the host’s immune AMPs, ultimately leading to the antimicrobial effect. The
response in a number of ways, which helps in the activation of cytokines and chemokines by stem cells can
treatment of infections. Stem cells have the capacity to augment the immune response of the host, leading to the
control cytokine and chemokine production, promoting recruitment of immune cells to the location of infection.

Volume 2 Issue 4 (2023) 5 https://doi.org/10.36922/gpd.1230