Comprehensive Review of the Potential Use of Mesenchymal Stem Cells as an Advanced Methodology for Combating Drug Resistance by Bacteria.

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents one of the most serious and rapidly evolving problems and challenges in the fields of medicine and biological treatment, driving the acceleration of the development of more efficient and non-traditional treatment techniques and strategies. The trend is towards mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) due to their immunomodulatory properties and antimicrobial activity. This brief review aims to identify the potential therapeutic role of mesenchymal stem cells in combating bacterial isolates and strains exhibiting drug resistance. This will be achieved by presenting the mechanisms of their direct and indirect effects and clarifying their interaction with immunogenic factors and the immune system. A systematic review of scientific and research articles was conducted based on reliable global databases, with an expansion of research that focused on the antimicrobial properties of mesenchymal stem cells and their pathways of action against drug-resistant bacteria, including studies published between 2010 and 2025. The results concluded that MSCs possess the ability to secrete potent antimicrobial peptides such as LL-37, with the potential to modulate the immune response and reduce bacterial biofilm formation. Experiments conducted on cases of sepsis, pneumonia, sepsis, and wound infection showed that these cells contribute to improving survival rates and reducing bacterial virulence without causing new drug resistance. Due to its antibacterial properties and its contribution to improving the immune response, it represents an effective therapeutic alternative within the techniques used to combat drug resistance. However, there are challenges and obstacles related to regulating protocols in the clinical field; therefore, further clinical trials and researches are needed.