The Effect of Stem Cell Therapy in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder [ASD] is a neuro developmental disorder that is characterized by abnormal social interaction/communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Although there is a lack of knowledge surrounding the ASD’s etiology, one common hypothesis posits that the causative pathology is immune system deregulation [ISD]. Patients with ASD experience ISD in the form of overactive microglia and astroglia in the brain, overactive cytokines in the brain and blood plasma, and underactive T lymphocytes in the blood plasma. Mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs] and mononuclear cells, which contain a mixture of MSCs and hematopoietic stem cells [HSCs], are promising candidates for treatment of ASD. MSCs secrete several molecules that may restore injured tissue and anti-inflammatory molecules that may mediate neuro inflammation. MSCs also exhibit immuno modulatory effects which may regulate the immune response observed in ASD.HSCs secrete various cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors that may further regulate the abnormal immune response observed in ASD. In addition, HSC CD34+ down regulates pro-inflammatory molecules and up regulates anti-inflammatory molecules which may mediate neuro inflammation in ASD. Based on the results of several clinical trials, MSC and mononuclear cell therapies are safe and effective. To date, they have not been shown to cause adverse side effects. In addition, there have been several instances of reduced ASD symptoms due to the therapies. Nevertheless, much research is still needed into further investigating the etiology of ASD and the mechanism of stem cell therapies to truly understand the benefits of stem cell therapy for ASD.