About Us

GISM was established in October 2014 by 53 Founding Members, mainly researchers from leading Italian Universities and Research Institutions.

The Association currently includes Ordinary, Honorary and Supporting Members.

The main goal of GISM is to promote the exchange of scientific information among researchers working in the field of mesenchymal stem cells, with particular emphasis on their clinical applications.

The Group mainly addresses the scientific community and, according to its mission, does not provide clinical consultations or direct interaction with the general public.

The cells currently known as Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) were first described by Alexander Friedenstein during the 1970s. They were identified as adherent fibroblast-like cells isolated from bone marrow, capable of differentiating into bone and cartilage tissues and supporting hematopoietic stem cell growth both in vitro and in vivo.

These cells were initially called Colony Forming Unit-Fibroblast (CFU-F).

A Precise Definition

MSCs are adherent and multipotent cells, meaning they can acquire characteristics of different cell types. They express surface markers such as:

while being negative for hematopoietic markers such as:

MSCs have been identified in several tissues including:

• Bone marrow
• Adipose tissue
• Placenta
• Amniotic fluid
• Umbilical cord blood

Although usually present in limited quantities, MSCs can be isolated and expanded in laboratory conditions until clinically relevant numbers are reached.

During the 1990s, with the development of cell therapy and tissue engineering, scientific interest in MSCs increased dramatically worldwide.

Their potential clinical applications and economic impact stimulated the development of new techniques for isolation, expansion and therapeutic use.

MSCs are currently being investigated in numerous preclinical and clinical studies for conditions such as:

• Crohn’s disease
• Prevention and treatment of acute GVHD
• Bone and cartilage regeneration
• Nervous tissue regeneration
• Cardiac regeneration

More information about ongoing clinical trials can be found at:

https://clinicaltrials.gov

The medical and scientific information available on the GISM website is intended exclusively for educational and informational purposes.

The information provided cannot replace professional medical advice and should not be considered personalized clinical consultation.

A qualified physician should always be consulted for any health issue or clinical condition.

GISM and its members are not responsible for medical or scientific information contained in external websites linked from the official website.