Cell surface modification for delivery of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)

• Published in: Drug Delivery System Vol. 40; no. 2; pp. 117 - 126
• Main Authors: Hirata, Tsuyoshi, Higuchi, Yuriko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: THE JAPAN SOCIETY OF DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM 25.03.2025
• Subjects: cell surface modification; cell therapeutics; drug delivery system; mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs); targeting
• ISSN: 0913-5006; 1881-2732
• DOI: 10.2745/dds.40.117

Mesenchymal stem cells（MSCs） exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, pro-angiogenic, and anti-fibrotic properties, as well as differentiation potential. MSC has been reported to hold the potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and the regeneration of damaged tissue in various organs, including the heart, kidneys, liver, skin and neurons. However, following intravenous administration, only a small percentage of MSCs successfully accumulate in target tissue. The accumulation of MSCs at lesion sites and their interaction with target cells are critical for enhancing therapeutic efficacy. To address this limitation, modifying the surface of MSCs with targeting ligand molecules that specifically bind to proteins expressed on target cells has emerged as an effective strategy. Recently studies have demonstrated the feasibility and efficacy of modifying MSCs with a variety of targeting ligands. These ligands include receptors, adhesion molecules, antibodies, target-specific binding peptide, and aptamers. Currently, four principal methods, （1）pretreatment and preconditioning, （2）Genetic modification, （3）Anchorage via hydrophobic interactions, and （4）Covalent conjugation, are employed to modify the surface of MSCs with targeting ligand molecules. This review provides a comprehensive overview of cell surface modification techniques for MSCs using these methods. In addition, a comparative analysis of these approaches is presented, highlighting their respective characteristics.