Characterization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and their use in the treatment of COVID-19

Title : Characterization of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and their use in the treatment of COVID-19

Abstract:

Worldwide more than 49 million individuals have been infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the corona virus causing COVID-19. From the World Health Organization, as of November 6, 2020, a little over 1.2 million deaths have been reported globally and yet to date, there are no current specific drugs or vaccines available to cure patients with COVID-19 infection. Hence, there is a large unmet need for a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19 infected patients, especially the severe cases. A proposed mechanism of severe Corona virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a deregulated innate immune response to an infection with SARS-CoV-2 resulting in cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Mesencymal stem cells (MSC) have been shown to have immunomodulatory effects and may attenuate the CRS. We present 11 cases of severe COVID-19 pneumonia treated with umbilical cord-derived, non-HLA matched MSC administered as four separate intravenous doses, 5×105 cells/kg. Clinical symptoms, measurements of inflammatory mediators and cytokines (IL6, IL10, IFN-γ, TNF-α), and radiological results were recorded for each patient. Although there were large variations in baseline cytokine pattern elevation, all cytokine levels decreased in all patients after the 4 infusions of UC-MSC, albeit in different magnitudes. Seven patients eventually improved in terms of need for supplemental oxygen and/or mechanical ventilation, clinical symptoms, resolution of pneumonia on imaging, and were discharged. Three patients expired, 1 of whom expired before completing the full course of therapy. This limited series of patients showed that UC-MSC therapy down regulates the cytokine storm and may improve clinical status in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 pneumonia without any infusion related reaction.
Keywords: MSCs, uMSC, QA, Potency Assays, COVID-19, pneumonia.

Audience Take Away: 

• Discuss the history and properties of MSCs
• Discuss rationale for use of uMSC in COVID-19
• Quality Control
• Potency Assays
• Present institutional Protocol for use of uMSC in COVID-19  pneumonia
• Present local experience and outcome of patients treated with  uMSC with COVID-19

Biography:

Dr. Vasiliki E. Kalodimou is the Assistant Professor as well as the former acting chair, at School of Medicine at the European University-Cyprus Ltd. Frankfurt Branch, Director at the Flow Cytometry-Research and Regenerative Medicine Department of IASO Maternity-Pediatric and Research Hospital in Athens, Greece, the Board/Committee on Research Ethics at the National Hellenic Research Foundation (Ε.Ι.Ε). Since 2006, Dr. Kalodimou has studied and working with stem cells from placenta, umbilical cord and adipose tissue, in every day practice and their applications in regenerative medicine, clinical trials, medical tourism and Flow Cytometry. Also, is working in the area of human genetics & population genetics as well as cellular standards. In addition to collaboration with state universities and pharmaceutical companies on research projects (20), Kalodimou frequently publishes (55 & 14 books/bestseller) her findings. She has 2 patents.