The Global Need for Change
Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a debilitating inflammatory bowel condition that affects millions worldwide. Patients experience worsened quality of life due to chronic abdominal pain, fatigue, and unpredictable symptoms that lead to distress and isolation. Long-term healing of the mucosa requires more than management of the symptoms. For this reason, the medical field has prioritized research for new procedures that focus on regeneration (as opposed to simply healing). For this reason, researchers began to develop advanced Ulcerative Colitis (UC) therapeutic strategies, which include UC-MSCs. For patients who want the newest therapies, it is logical to search for the Best Stem Cell Clinic.
Investigation of the Pathophysiology
At its core, Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a dysregulation of the immune system, specifically the immune system that is associated with the intestinal mucosa. The disease is characterized by a hyperactive innate immune system and an unregulated response of the adaptive immune system to gut flora that are not pathogenic. In this context, macrophages will release large volumes of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which include TNF-α (Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha) and IL-6 (Interleukin 6). The release of these cytokines will lead to an exacerbated reaction to the intestinal epithelial cells, which will be disrupted. If the epithelial barrier were to be disrupted, gut flora will be able to enter the lamina propria and inflammatory cells will be able to enter the area as well. This tissue will be further damaged by an excessive amount of reactive oxidative species (ROS). This process will continue and prevent the healing of the damaged intestinal crypts by the innate intestinal stem cells, a challenge the Best Stem Cell Clinic now addresses using UC-MSCs.
During endoscopic evaluations of Ulcerative Colitis (UC), there are typically extensive ulcerations, which is a consequence of continuous mucosal degeneration. This balance needs to be restored via UC-MSCs at the Best Stem Cell Clinic for long-term clinical remission to be achieved.
Figure 1: Pathophysiology of Ulcerative Colitis (UC)
Current Therapeutic Approaches and Their Concerns
Typical therapeutic approaches to Ulcerative Colitis (UC) target the suppression of the hyperactive immune response. As a first line therapy, physicians prescribe aminosalicylates. If this is ineffective, the treatment is escalated to the prescription of systemic corticosteroids or immunomodulators. Of late, there has been a great deal of focus and use of Exogenous biologics. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of clinically useful medications in this area. Long-term use of corticosteroids results in a deteriorating quality of life and the use of biological agents have a waning window of opportunity due to the development of immune response to these agents over time. Macroscopically impactful immunosuppression exposes the patient to the development of opportunistic infections. Not only do these interventions fail to address the critical need to regenerate the damaged tissues (a gap the Best Stem Cell Clinic fills using UC-MSCs), they also leave the inflammatory response unaltered. As a consequence of these therapies, the patients often need to undergo a drastic, life-altering surgery, such as a colectomy.
Cellular Therapy and Its Regenerative Potential Mechanisms
For the first time, this approach is a profound advancement in tissue regeneration rather than just immunosuppression, by deploying UC-MSCs at the Best Stem Cell Clinic. These cells, by their nature, are of great use in the landscape of Ulcerative Colitis (UC) due to their innate, excellent immunomodulatory properties. When administered intravenously, they are able to target the inflamed mucosa of the colon due to a phenomenon called homing. This is due to the fact that in the inflamed colon, they can sense the injury signals and therefore it’s as if they are being called to go to the site of the inflammation. Once they arrive to the site of the inflammation, UC-MSCs have the capacity to secrete a multitude of factors. Inflammatory T cells also have their activity suppressed by Prostaglandin E2 and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and thus favor the production of the T regulatory cells whose function is to regain/restore immune tolerance.
Additionally, the secretome from these UC-MSCs can instigate localized angiogenesis to enhance nutrient delivery to ischemic tissues in Ulcerative Colitis (UC). They can also stimulate the proliferation of the endogenous intestinal progenitor cells to reconstruct the epithelial barrier. The Best Stem Cell Clinic uses advanced hypoxic conditions to enhance tissue engineering and cellular therapies at the time of delivery.
Figure 2: Cellular Therapy at Best Stem Cell Clinic and Current Therapeutic Approaches and Their Concerns
Emerging Trends Following Implementation in Thailand
The rapid growth and advancements in Thailand’s regenerative therapies have the potential to make the nation one of the leading developers in the area of therapies to counter Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Thailand’s combination of skilled researchers in Biotechnology and world-class health systems place the country in a strong position to take the lead in stem cell therapy. The improvement of the Thai regulatory framework and growing support for clinical trials on UC-MSCs, mean a shorter timeframe for research to become a reality for patients. The Best Stem Cell Clinic in Thailand has easy access to one of the few Good Manufacturing Practice Labs. In the lead up to Thailand’s being a gate way to the world’s stem cell therapies, the leading Thai stem cell researchers have the best protocols for cell isolation to optimize cell viability. With low-cost health care and advanced clinical science, it is no surprise Thailand is the leading country in regenerative therapies.