Mesenchymal stromal cell therapy: a revolution in Regenerative Medicine?

Abstract

Because of their immunomodulatory and engraftmentpromoting properties, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been tested in the clinical setting both to facilitate haematopoietic recovery and to treat steroid-resistant acute GVHD. More recently, experimental findings and clinical trials have focused on the ability of MSCs to home to damaged tissue and to produce paracrine factors with antiinflammatory properties, resulting in functional recovery of the damaged tissue. The mechanisms through which MSCs exert their therapeutic potential rely on some key properties of the cells: the ability to secrete soluble factors capable of stimulating survival and recovery of injured cells; the capacity to home to sites of damage and the ability to blunt exaggerated immune responses. These fundamental properties are being tested within a novel therapeutic field defined as Regenerative Medicine. This review deals with recent research on the anti-inflammatory/reparative properties of MSCs and considers the possible mechanisms of function responsible for these effects. Moreover, current and potential clinical applications of MSC-based treatment strategies in the context of Regenerative Medicine are being discussed. Key issues such as optimal timing of MSC administration, cell dose and schedule of administration, advantages and disadvantages of using autologous or allogeneic cells are still open. Nonetheless, MSCs promise to represent a revolution for many severe or presently untreatable disorders.

Inhibition of B-Cell Proliferation and Antibody Production by Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Is Mediated by T Cells

“…In view of their immunosuppressive/anti-inflammatory properties, as well as of their role in sustaining tissue repair and tropism [12,13], MSCs represent a promising immunoregulatory and regenerative therapy for many conditions, including autoimmune disorders [14][15][16]. Therefore, clarifying the interactions between MSCs and B-lymphocytes is also important for designing innovative strategies for B-cell mediated disorders.…”

Cord-Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Downmodulate CD4+T-Cell Activation by Inducing IL-10-Producing Th1 Cells

“…ue to their multipotent differentiation capacity and immunomodulatory properties, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been extensively studied in recent years as a possible therapeutic tool in regenerative medicine and as a promising therapy for immunological disorders [1]. Although the mechanism of action of MSCs is not well understood, they have already entered into clinical trials and, given their low immunogenicity, few if any adverse events have emerged to date [2][3][4][5][6].…”

Craniofacial Bone Regeneration using iPS Cell-Derived Neural Crest Like Cells

“…To date, many types of stem cells such as MSCs and ESCs have shown great advanced potential for bone regeneration [24][25][26] . However, each cell has major drawbacks that are still unresolved and impeditive to clinical application.…”