Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are of particular interest for their potential clinical use in tissue engineering as well as for their capacity to reduce the incidence and severity of graftversus-host disease in allogeneic transplantation. We have previously shown that MSC-mediated immune suppression acts via the secretion of soluble factor(s) induced upon stimulation. The aim of this study was to identify the molecule(s) involved and the underlying mechanism(s). We show that murine MSC secrete high levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor, which are directly correlated to the inhibition of T-cell proliferation. The T-cell activation is partially restored upon addition of a neutralizing anti-IL-6 antibody or the prostaglandin E2 inhibitor indomethacin. Interestingly, no indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity was detected in our conditions. Instead, we show that MSC reduce the expression of major histocompatibility complex class II, CD40, and CD86 costimulatory molecules on mature dendritic cells (DC), which was responsible for a decrease in T-cell proliferation. Moreover, we show that the differentiation of bone marrow progenitors into DC cultured with conditioned supernatants from MSC was partly inhibited through the secretion of IL-6. Altogether, these data suggest that IL-6 is involved in the immunoregulatory mechanism mediated by MSC through a partial inhibition of DC differentiation but is probably not the main mechanism.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotential nonhematopoietic progenitor cells that are isolated from many adult tissues, in particular from the bone marrow and adipose tissue. Along with their capacity for differentiating into cells of mesodermal lineage, such as adipocytes, osteoblasts and chondrocytes, these cells have also generated great interest for their ability to display immunomodulatory capacities. Indeed, a major breakthrough came with the finding that they are able to induce peripheral tolerance, suggesting they may be used as therapeutic tools in immune-mediated disorders. The present review aims at discussing the current knowledge on the targets and mechanisms of MSC-mediated immunosuppression as well as the potential use of MSCs as modulators of immune responses in a variety of diseases related to alloreactive immunity or autoimmunity

BackgroundBased on their capacity to suppress immune responses, multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are intensively studied for various clinical applications. Although it has been shown in vitro that the immunomodulatory effect of MSCs mainly occurs through the secretion of soluble mediators, the mechanism is still not completely understood. The aim of the present study was to better understand the mechanisms underlying the suppressive effect of MSCs in vivo, using cells isolated from mice deficient in the production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) or interleukin (IL)-6 in the murine model of collagen-induced arthritis.Principal FindingsIn the present study, we show that primary murine MSCs from various strains of mice or isolated from mice deficient for iNOS or IL-6 exhibit different immunosuppressive potential. The immunomodulatory function of MSCs was mainly attributed to IL-6-dependent secretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) with a minor role for NO. To address the role of these molecules in vivo, we used the collagen-induced arthritis as an experimental model of immune-mediated disorder. MSCs effectively inhibited collagen-induced inflammation during a narrow therapeutic window. In contrast to wild type MSCs, IL-6-deficient MSCs and to a lesser extent iNOS-deficient MSCs were not able to reduce the clinical signs of arthritis. Finally, we show that, independently of NO or IL-6 secretion or Treg cell induction, MSCs modulate the host response by inducing a switch to a Th2 immune response.SignificanceOur data indicate that MSCs mediate their immunosuppressive effect via two modes of action: locally, they reduce inflammation through the secretion of anti-proliferative mediators, such as NO and mainly PGE2, and systemically they switch the host response from a Th1/Th17 towards a Th2 immune profile.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), or multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells as they are also known, have been identified in bone marrow as well as in other tissues of the joint, including adipose, synovium, periosteum, perichondrium, and cartilage. These cells are characterized by their phenotype and their ability to differentiate into three lineages: chondrocytes, osteoblasts and adipocytes. Importantly, MSCs also potently modulate immune responses, exhibit healing capacities, improve angiogenesis and prevent fibrosis. These properties might be explained at least in part by the trophic effects of MSCs through the secretion of a number of cytokines and growth factors. However, the mechanisms involved in the differentiation potential of MSCs, and their immunomodulatory and paracrine properties, are currently being extensively studied. These unique properties of MSCs confer on them the potential to be used for therapeutic applications in rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, genetic bone and cartilage disorders as well as bone metastasis.

Injuries to articular cartilage are one of the most challenging issues of musculoskeletal medicine due to the poor intrinsic ability of this tissue for repair. Despite progress in orthopaedic surgery, the lack of efficient modalities of treatment for large chondral defects has prompted research on tissue engineering combining chondrogenic cells, scaffold materials and environmental factors. The aim of this review is to focus on the recent advances made in exploiting the potentials of cell therapy for cartilage engineering. These include: 1) defining the best cell candidates between chondrocytes or multipotent progenitor cells, such as multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC), in terms of readily available sources for isolation, expansion and repair potential; 2) engineering biocompatible and biodegradable natural or artificial matrix scaffolds as cell carriers, chondrogenic factors releasing factories and supports for defect filling, 3) identifying more specific growth factors and the appropriate scheme of application that will promote both chondrogenic differentiation and then maintain the differentiated phenotype overtime and 4) evaluating the optimal combinations that will answer to the functional demand placed upon cartilage tissue replacement in animal models and in clinics. Finally, some of the major obstacles generally encountered in cartilage engineering are discussed as well as future trends to overcome these limiting issues for clinical applications.

Eosinophils are major effector cells in type 2 inflammatory responses and become activated in response to IL-4 and IL-33, yet the molecular mechanisms and cooperative interaction between these cytokines remain unclear. Our objective was to investigate the molecular mechanism and cooperation of IL-4 and IL-33 in eosinophil activation. Eosinophils derived from bone marrow or isolated from Il5-transgenic mice were activated in the presence of IL-4 or IL-33 for 1 or 4h and the transcriptome was analysed by RNA-sequencing. The candidate genes were validated by qPCR and ELISA. We first demonstrated that murine cultured eosinophils respond to IL-4 and IL-33 by phosphorylation of STAT-6 and NFκB, respectively. RNA sequence analysis of murine cultured eosinophils indicated that IL-33 induced 519 genes; whereas, IL-4 induced only 28 genes, including 19 IL-33-regulated genes. Interestingly, IL-33 induced eosinophil activation via two distinct mechanisms, IL-4 independent and IL-4 secretion/auto-stimulation dependent. Anti-IL-4 or anti-IL-4Rα antibody-treated cultured and mature eosinophils, as well as Il4- or Stat6-deficient cultured eosinophils, had attenuated protein secretion of a subset of IL-33-induced genes, including Retnla and Ccl17. Additionally, IL-33 induced the rapid release of pre-formed IL-4 protein from eosinophils by an NFκB-dependent mechanism. However, the induction of most IL-33-regulated transcripts (e.g. Il6 and Il13) was IL-4 independent and blocked by NFκB inhibition. In conclusion, we have identified a novel activation pathway in murine eosinophils that is induced by IL-33 and differentially dependent upon an IL-4 auto-amplification loop.

No abstract

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells or mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are isolated mainly from bone marrow and adipose tissue but are identified in other tissues such as synovium, periosteum or placenta. They are characterised by their property to adhere to plastic, their phenotype and their ability to differentiate into three lineages (chondrocytes, osteoblasts and adipocytes). More recently, these cells were shown to escape immune recognition and inhibit immune responses. MSC may modulate the function of the major immune cell populations, including antigen-presenting cells, T cells, B cells and natural killer cells. The aim of this review is to focus on the molecular mechanisms, still poorly understood, which are responsible of the immunosuppressive effects mediated by the MSC. Finally, the data obtained from in vivo experimentation in various animal models as well as potential therapeutic applications will be presented.