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Immunosuppressive Properties of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

  • Cellular Transplants (J Grinyo, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

The properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have become better known over the past decade and show potentially attractive new capabilities in solid-organ transplantation. After systemic administration, MSCs migrate to the damaged tissues, engraft, and then display potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties through cell-to-cell interactions and secretion of soluble factors. They are weakly immunogenic and influence the differentiation and function of both innate and adaptive immune cells, thus promoting a tolerogenic response. Moreover, the results of the preclinical studies and the initial clinical trials support the evidence that MSCs can, at least partially, induce allograft tolerance. This review describes the immunosuppressive properties of MSCs on cells involved in alloimmune response and the current understanding of their underlying mechanisms, which is a prerequisite for an optimal clinical use.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. INSERM U1197, Villejuif, France

    Melanie Brunel, Florence Herr & Antoine Durrbach

  2. Department of Nephrology and Transplantation, IFRNT, Bicêtre Hospital, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France

    Melanie Brunel & Antoine Durrbach

  3. University Paris Sud, Orsay, France

    Melanie Brunel, Florence Herr & Antoine Durrbach

Authors
  1. Melanie Brunel
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  2. Florence Herr
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  3. Antoine Durrbach
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Antoine Durrbach.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Cellular Transplants

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Brunel, M., Herr, F. & Durrbach, A. Immunosuppressive Properties of Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Curr Transpl Rep 3, 348–357 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40472-016-0120-y

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