Immunoregulatory function of mesenchymal stem cells

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are a rare subset of stem cells residing in the bone marrow where they closely interact with hematopoietic stem cells and support their growth and differentiation. MSC can differentiate into multiple mesenchymal and non‐mesenchymal lineages, providing a promising tool for tissue repair. In addition, MSC suppress many T cell, B cell and NK cell functions and may affect also dendritic cell activities. Due to their limited immunogenicity, MSC are poorly recognized by HLA‐incompatible hosts. Based on these unique properties, MSC are currently under investigation for their possible use to treat immuno‐mediated diseases. However, both their condition of immunoprivilege and their immunosuppressive function have recently been challenged when analyzed under particular experimental conditions. Thus, it is likely that MSC effects on the immune system may be deeply influenced not only by cell‐to‐cell interactions, but also by environmental factors shaping their phenotype and functions.

In Vitro Evidence of the Presence of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Cervical Cancer and Their Role in Protecting Cancer Cells from Cytotoxic T Cell Activity

“…MSCs have been shown to possess an immunosuppressive activity [35] and contribute to create a specific tumor microenvironment that promotes tumor survival through immunosuppression conditions that favor the evasion of tumor from the immune system [4,5]. Previous reports have shown (B) CaSki cells were cultured in the presence of 40% (-) of the conditioned media derived from either MSC cultures or MSC/CaSki cocultures at a 1:1; or with 40% of these conditioned media plus 1.8 mg/mL of rabbit antihuman IL-10 neutralizing specific antibody (,).…”

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells for autoimmune diseases: teaching new dogs old tricks

“…They also exhibit anti-proliferative and antiinflammatory properties in vitro and in vivo, making them candidates for the treatment of acute inflammatory AD. 13,14 Regardless of whether or not MSCs are true stem cells, clinical benefit from MSCs may not require sustained engraftment of large numbers of cells or differentiation into specific tissues. It is possible that a therapeutic benefit can be obtained by local paracrine production of growth factors and a provision of temporary antiproliferative and immunomodulatory properties.…”

Imaging Gene Expression in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells: From Small to Large Animals

“…MSCs can be propagated in large quantities in a cell culture for many passages without substantial functional impairment (4). A reduced immunogenicity of MSCs suggests their use as an allogeneic graft (6,7), and human MSCs do not present hurdles related to ethical and political issues as is the case with other cells, such as human embryonic stem cells. Therefore, transplantation of human MSCs currently holds large promise as a cellbased therapy for repairing damaged tissues that include the heart (8), and the safety and efficiency of human MSCs in patients are currently evaluated in controlled clinical trials (9).…”