Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative condition that affects a significant number of individuals over the age of 60. The main characteristics of PD include the gradual breakdown of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, a specific area in the midbrain, and the clustering of α-synuclein into Lewy bodies. Due to the depletion of dopamine storage, individuals suffering from Parkinson’s disease experience significant symptoms that are linked to a decline in their ability to move, such as tremors when at rest, slowed movement, stiffness, difficulties with posture, as well as a gradual decline in their autonomic, cognitive, and emotional functions.
Stem cells are a type of cells that have the ability to generate offspring and develop into various types of cells. Because the damage to dopaminergic neurons in PD cannot be reversed, it is hopeful to create various stem cell lines that can be directed to become dopaminergic neurons. By integrating these stem cells into the central nervous system, it may be possible to improve the effectiveness of stem cell transplantation for treating PD.
MSCs are a specific kind of versatile cells that are not related to blood cell formation. They can transform into various cell types and primarily come from the stromal components of the bone marrow, excluding tissues like adipose tissue, umbilical cord, dermis, and peripheral blood. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess the ability to transform into neural cells, specifically neurospheres, when exposed to certain conditions. Due to their availability from different sources, treatments using MSCs have been extensively utilized in different forms of Parkinson’s disease. For instance, bone marrow stromal cells have the capability to transform into cells resembling neurons and glial cells when exposed to certain substances like brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNFs), bFGF, epidermal growth factors (EGFs), and glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factors (GDNFs). These substances can be inserted into the central nervous system (CNS) to aid in the improvement of motor function.