Published online Apr 26, 2015. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v7.i3.556
Peer-review started: August 29, 2014
First decision: October 14, 2014
Revised: November 7, 2014
Accepted: January 9, 2015
Article in press: January 12, 2015
Published online: April 26, 2015
Processing time: 237 Days and 5.6 Hours
Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells [also known as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)] are currently being studied as a cell-based treatment for inflammatory disorders. Experimental animal models of human immune-mediated diseases have been instrumental in establishing their immunosuppressive properties. In this review, we summarize recent studies examining the effectiveness of MSCs as immunotherapy in several widely-studied animal models, including type 1 diabetes, experimental autoimmune arthritis, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, inflammatory bowel disease, graft-vs-host disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus. In addition, we discuss mechanisms identified by which MSCs mediate immune suppression in specific disease models, and potential sources of functional variability of MSCs between studies.
Core tip: In this review, we summarize recent studies examining the effectiveness of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) as immunotherapy in several widely-studied animal models, including type 1 diabetes, experimental autoimmune arthritis, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, inflammatory bowel disease, graft-vs-host disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus. In addition, we discuss mechanisms identified by which MSCs mediate immune suppression in vivo and potential sources of functional variability of MSCs between studies.