Lanzoni G, Roda G, Belluzzi A, Roda E, Bagnara GP. Inflammatory bowel disease: Moving toward a stem cell-based therapy. World J Gastroenterol 2008; 14(29): 4616-4626 [PMID: 18698675 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.14.4616]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Bagnara Gian Paolo, MD, Professor of Histology and Embryology, Department of Histology, Embryology and Applied Biology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro, 8, Bologna 40126, Italy. bagnara@alma.unibo.it
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Review
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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 7, 2008; 14(29): 4616-4626 Published online Aug 7, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.4616
Inflammatory bowel disease: Moving toward a stem cell-based therapy
Giacomo Lanzoni, Giulia Roda, Andrea Belluzzi, Enrico Roda, Gian Paolo Bagnara
Giacomo Lanzoni, Gian Paolo Bagnara, Department of Histology, Embryology and Applied Biology, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy
Giulia Roda, Andrea Belluzzi, Enrico Roda, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Bologna, S.Orsola Hospital, Bologna 40126, Italy
Gian Paolo Bagnara, “Giorgio Prodi” Interdepartmental Research Centre for Cancer Research, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
Author contributions: Lanzoni G and Roda G contributed equally to this work. Lanzoni G, Roda G and Bagnara GP designed the study and wrote the paper. Belluzzi A and Roda E contributed to paper writing.
Correspondence to: Bagnara Gian Paolo, MD, Professor of Histology and Embryology, Department of Histology, Embryology and Applied Biology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro, 8, Bologna 40126, Italy. bagnara@alma.unibo.it
Telephone: +39-51-2094090
Fax: +39-51-2094110
Received: February 4, 2008 Revised: July 9, 2008 Accepted: July 16, 2008 Published online: August 7, 2008
Abstract
The incidence and prevalence of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), the two major forms of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), are rising in western countries. The modern hygienic lifestyle is probably at the root of a disease where, in genetically susceptible hosts, the intestinal commensal flora triggers dysregulated immune and inflammatory responses. Current therapies ranging from anti-inflammatory drugs to immunosuppressive regimens, remain inadequate. Advances in our understanding of the cell populations involved in the pathogenetic processes and recent findings on the regenerative, trophic and immunoregulatory potential of stem cells open new paths in IBD therapy. Hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells are catalyzing the attention of IBD investigators. This review highlights the pivotal findings for stem cell-based approaches to IBD therapy and collects the encouraging results coming in from clinical trials.
