Harnessing regenerative and immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells in transplantation medicine

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an ubiquitous type of cell present in almost all human tissues. Clinical utilization of these cells was initially based on their bone marrow (BM) supportive activity and the ability to repair bone and cartilage. However, more recent data indicate that MSCs modulate immunological responses through their interactions with various immune cells and participate in tissue repair via paracrine effects, such as secretion of cytokines and growth factors. Currently, MSCs derived from BM, and to a lesser extent from other tissues, are being investigated in a wide variety of clinical trials, including in the field of solid organ transplantation. Numerous desirable properties of MSCs such as their ease of ex vivo production, impressive record of safety in a wide variety of clinical scenarios, and intriguing tissue regenerative and immunomodulatory properties combined with the promising results reported so far make them a prime candidate for further investigation.