Human mesenchymal stem cells inhibit the differentiation and effector functions of monocytes

Abstract

<jats:p> Although monocytes represent an essential part of the host defence system, their accumulation and prolonged stimulation could be detrimental and may aggravate chronic inflammatory diseases. The present study has explored the less-understood immunomodulatory effects of mesenchymal stem cells on monocyte functions. Isolated purified human monocytes were co-cultured with human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells under appropriate culture conditions to assess monocytes’ vital functions. Based on the surface marker analysis, mesenchymal stem cells halted monocyte differentiation into dendritic cells and macrophages and reduced their phagocytosis functions, which rendered an inability to stimulate T-cell proliferation. The present study confers that mesenchymal stem cells exerted potent immunosuppressive activity on monocyte functions such as differentiation, phagocytosis and Ag presentation; hence, they promise a potential therapeutic role in down-regulating the unwanted monocyte-mediated immune responses in the context of chronic inflammatory diseases. </jats:p>

MSCs and Inflammatory Cells Crosstalk in Regenerative Medicine: Concerted Actions for Optimized Resolution Driven by Energy Metabolism

“…This is consistent with in vitro data where MSCs support monocyte survival through direct interaction while increasing expression of M2 markers, phagocytic capacity and antiinflammatory cytokines secretion via the production of PGE2 (46). MSCs also inhibit monocyte differentiation into dendritic cells (DC) and macrophages, decrease their phagocytosis functions and block their capacity to stimulate T cell proliferation (47). After phagocytosis of human UC-MSCs by monocytes, phagocytic monocytes acquired a predominantly anti-inflammatory phenotype characterized by increased IL-10 secretion, decreased TNF-a production and expression of M2type receptors such as CD163 and CD206 (48).…”

Connection between Mesenchymal Stem Cells Therapy and Osteoclasts in Osteoarthritis

“…Maqbool et al showed reduced monocyte differentiation into macrophages and dendritic cells by the presence of MSC. Moreover, either the phagocytic activity or the capability to induce T lymphocyte proliferation of each subgroup of myeloid cells were also blocked by MSCs [116]. On the other hand, the immunomodulatory effect of MSCs on monocytes and dendritic cells has also been reported in rheumatoid arthritis.…”

Therapeutic Implications of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Their Extracellular Vesicles in Autoimmune Diseases: From Biology to Clinical Applications

“…Anti-inflammatory monocytes secrete high levels of IL-10 but decreased levels of TNF-α, IL-12, IL-1β, and IL-17 [ 39 , 51 , 64 , 65 ] ( Figure 1 ). A recent study showed that MSCs can also suppress monocyte functions [ 66 ] ( Figure 1 ). More precisely, when human MSCs derived from the umbilical cord were cultured with human monocytes, the latter had decreased potential to differentiation into macrophages, defective phagocytic capacity, and antigen-presenting potential.…”