06/02/2026
Menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MenSCs) are a type of adult stem cell obtained non-invasively from menstrual blood. They are highly proliferative, exhibit low immunogenicity, and lack ethical issues. MenSCs are used in regenerative medicine for treating various diseases, including COVID-19, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders.
Key Characteristics and Potential:
Source and Collection: Easily obtained, non-invasively, and can be collected periodically with minimal complications.
Properties: Possess high expansion capacity, self-renewal ability, and the ability to differentiate into multiple lineages (e.g., bone, fat, cartilage, muscle).
Therapeutic Applications: Investigated for use in treating diabetes, liver diseases, stroke, and COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Immunomodulatory Effects: They can influence immune cells, such as Natural Killer (NK) cells and T cells, making them useful for treating immune-related diseases.
Extracellular Vesicles (EVs): MenSCs secrete EVs (including exosomes) that carry bioactive molecules for tissue regeneration, offering potential as biomarkers.
Advantages Over Other Stem Cells:
Non-invasive: Unlike bone marrow or adipose-derived stem cells, they require no surgical procedures for collection.
Rapid Proliferation: They grow faster than bone marrow-derived stem cells.
Ethical Compliance: No ethical concerns are involved in their usage compared to embryonic stem cells.
Clinical Trials and Future Prospects:
While most studies have been in vitro or in animals, some human clinical trials for diseases like COVID-19 andMultiple Sclerosis have reported favorable safety and efficacy. Further clinical trials are ongoing to confirm their long-term therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action.
