Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and paracrine factors secreted by MSCs (growth factors, cytokines and exosomes) have great potential for acute injuries, chronic diseases and inflammatory disorders because they can orchestrate healing. After injury, MSCs paracrine factors reduce inflammation, limit scar formation, prevent cell death, modulate the immune response, stimulate new blood vessel formation and promote tissue repair.
Kyttaro Therapeutics works with CD34-negative adult stem cells, which are obtained from umbilical cord, adipose tissue or bone marrow. The aim is to use and enhance the natural properties of the stem cell through genetic modification of the MSCs.
By genetically modifying CD34-negative MSCs, these cells are used as a “Trojan Horse” to place specialized proteins, cytokines or other factors in the body where there is a need for medical therapy or to repair tissue. By combining the properties of stem cells and the action of transported proteins/cytokines, the effect is enhanced and strengthened.
For example, one MSC has been modified to produce the acute-phase protein alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT).
This MSC-AAT combines the beneficial effects of stem cells and AAT, making it superior to stem cell or AAT therapy alone. This has been shown in preclinical experiments for the therapy of COVID-19, graft versus host disease (GvHD), type 1 diabetes mellitus, and lung diseases.
Another MSC cell line produces the cytokines Il-7 and Il-12.
In a preclinical model for glioblastoma - a form of malignant brain tumor that has not yet been curatively treatable - it was shown that these cells settle in the area of the tumor, thereby stimulating the natural cellular defense response and leading to the destruction of the tumor. Further experiments even showed that a re-implantation of tumor cells did not lead to the formation of tumors and thus an "inoculation effect" may be achieved by the administration of the MSC-Cyt.
An MSC third cell line produces the anti-aging protein Klotho.
Clinical studies have shown that patients who undergo an acute cardiac event or experience renal failure or neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, are deficient in Klotho. Thus, an increase in the serum concentration of Klotho could have a therapeutic effect. Due to the short half-life of Klotho in serum, continuous infusion of Klotho would be necessary to increase Klotho concentrations. This can be avoided by introducing Klotho via an MSC.
