Programmed cell death in stem cell-based therapy: Mechanisms and clinical applications

Hu, Xi-Min; Zhang, Qi; Zhou, Rui-Xin; Wu, Yan-Lin; Li, Zhi-Xin; Zhang, Dan-Yi; Yang, Yi-Chao; Yang, Rong-Hua; Hu, Yong-Jun; Xiong, Kun

Stem cell-based therapy raises hopes for a better approach to promoting tissue repair and functional recovery. However, transplanted stem cells show a high death percentage, creating challenges to successful transplantation and prognosis. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the mechanisms underlying stem cell death, such as apoptotic cascade activation, excessive autophagy, inflammatory response, reactive oxygen species, excitotoxicity, and ischemia/hypoxia. Targeting the molecular pathways involved may be an efficient strategy to enhance stem cell viability and maximize transplantation success. Notably, a more complex network of cell death receives more attention than one crucial pathway in determining stem cell fate, highlighting the challenges in exploring mechanisms and therapeutic targets. In this review, we focus on programmed cell death in transplanted stem cells. We also discuss some promising strategies and challenges in promoting survival for further study.