What is Coronavirus? (in 2020)

According to the World Health Organization (WHO)



A Coronavirus is a broad family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A coronavirus can be transmitted between different species of animals, including from animals to humans.



‍

What are the signs and symptoms of COVID-19?

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those of other Coronaviruses.



Symptoms include:

Fever

Cough

Shortness of Breath

Difficulty Breathing



‍

Stem cells may be able to help the body resist Coronavirus.

Firstly, stem cells combat viral attack by the expression of specific genes known as interferon-gamma stimulated genes (ISGs). These are expressed in stem cells before their differentiation. (Wu, X, et al., Cell 172: 423, 2018).



Hence, stem cells are expected to survive even if transplanted into a patient with an active Coronavirus infection. Also, it is known that stem cells rejuvenate and regenerate cells in the body through various processes involving reduction of inflammation, secretion of substances that protect cells, transfer of mitochondria, reduction of cell death, anti-oxidative effects and improvement of immune system function. These effects are likely to increase survival in patients infected with Coronavirus. Also, there is direct evidence of stem cell protection against viral infection. Influenza virus A/H5N1 causes acute lung injury that was reduced by human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in mice, and the treatment increased survival (Chan et al., PNAS 113:3621, 2016).



Vitro Biopharma has operated a highly regulated, FDA-compliant commercial biologics manufacturing facility for several years and is cGMP compliant, ISO9001 Certified, ISO13485 Certified, CLIA Certified and FDA registered. All clinical manufacturing occurs in a certified sterile clean room with extensive and advanced testing to assure the absence of contamination.



Furthermore, in numerous patients treated to date by IV infusion of their Mesenchymal Stem Cells, there have been no significant adverse events while we have gained evidence of efficacy.







Dr. Jim Musick, CEO, states:

‍

"We presently supply our Mesenchymal Stem Cells to DVC Stem in the Cayman Islands for treatment of inflammatory conditions. We are pleased to be positioned to offer stem cell therapy for Coronavirus infection. While there are several factors related to the possible extent of this global infection, stem cell therapy represents a therapeutic option to fight the virus and increase survival, while effective vaccines are being developed. Our existing offshore partners offer stem cell transplant services, and we are in contact with CDC officials regarding potential US-based stem cell transplants into infected individuals."







About Vitro Biopharma

Vitro Biopharma, for over ten years, has supplied major biopharmaceutical firms, elite university laboratories and clinical trials worldwide with Mesenchymal Stem Cells, the MSC-Grow™ Brand of cell culture media, various stem cell derivatives and stem cell-derived differentiated cells. We also manufacture primary fibroblast cells and an expanding line of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) from various tumours, including lung, breast, melanoma, pancreatic, glioblastoma and colorectal tissues.



Out of our years of research, Vitro Biopharma has developed a patent-pending and proprietary line of umbilical cord-derived stem cells, now being used in offshore regenerative medicine clinical trials. Their stem cells are used in regenerative medicine clinical trials with our partner DVC Stem in the Cayman Islands.





SOURCE: Vitro Diagnostics, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com

https://www.accesswire.com/578276/Stem-Cell-Therapy-for-Coronavirus-Infection





Additional References:



(1) Coronavirus. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus



(2) Chan, M. C. W., Kuok, D. I. T., Leung, C. Y. H., Hui, K. P. Y., Valkenburg, S. A., Lau, E. H. Y., … Peiris, J. S. M. (2016, March 29). Human mesenchymal stromal cells reduce influenza A H5N1-associated acute lung injury in vitro and in vivo. Retrieved from https://www.pnas.org/content/113/13/3621



(3) Wu, X., Dao Thi, V. L., Huang, Y., Billerbeck, E., Saha, D., Hoffmann, H.-H., … Rice, C. M. (2018, January 25). Intrinsic Immunity Shapes Viral Resistance of Stem Cells. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29249360

‍