Jaing TH, Chang TY, Chiu CC. Harnessing and honing mesenchymal stem/stromal cells for the amelioration of graft-versus-host disease. World J Stem Cells 2023; 15(4): 221-234 [PMID: 37180998 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v15.i4.221]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Tang-Her Jaing, MD, Chief Physician, Director, Professor, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children’s Hospital, Chang Gung University, No. 5 Fu-Shin Street, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan. jaing001@cgmh.org.tw
Research Domain of This Article
Transplantation
Article-Type of This Article
Minireviews
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Stem Cells. Apr 26, 2023; 15(4): 221-234 Published online Apr 26, 2023. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v15.i4.221
Harnessing and honing mesenchymal stem/stromal cells for the amelioration of graft-versus-host disease
Tang-Her Jaing, Tsung-Yen Chang, Chia-Chi Chiu
Tang-Her Jaing, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children’s Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
Tsung-Yen Chang, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
Chia-Chi Chiu, Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
Author contributions: Jaing TH and Chang TY designed the research study; Chang TY and Chiu CC performed the research; Jaing TH and Chiu CC analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript; all authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare no competing interests.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Tang-Her Jaing, MD, Chief Physician, Director, Professor, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children’s Hospital, Chang Gung University, No. 5 Fu-Shin Street, Kwei-Shan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan. jaing001@cgmh.org.tw
Received: December 15, 2022 Peer-review started: December 15, 2022 First decision: January 18, 2023 Revised: January 19, 2023 Accepted: March 21, 2023 Article in press: March 21, 2023 Published online: April 26, 2023
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a deterministic curative procedure for various hematologic disorders and congenital immunodeficiency. Despite its increased use, the mortality rate for patients undergoing this procedure remains high, mainly due to the perceived risk of exacerbating graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). However, even with immunosuppressive agents, some patients still develop GVHD. Advanced mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) strategies have been proposed to achieve better therapeutic outcomes, given their immunosuppressive potential. However, the efficacy and trial designs have varied among the studies, and some research findings appear contradictory due to the challenges in characterizing the in vivo effects of MSCs. This review aims to provide real insights into this clinical entity, emphasizing diagnostic, and therapeutic considerations and generating pathophysiology hypotheses to identify research avenues. The indications and timing for the clinical application of MSCs are still subject to debate.
Core Tip: This article provides insights into the use of validated mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) as a potential treatment strategy for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Current prevention and treatment options involve immunosuppression, which can hinder immune recovery and limit the graft-versus-tumor effect. By using MSCs, clinicians can effectively treat GVHD, identify high-risk patients, and stratify patients based on disease severity. Therefore, MSCs can aid in promoting engraftment, ameliorating acute GVHD, and preventing chronic GVHD, making them an attractive option for HSCT.
