Mesenchymal Stem Cell Applications in Graft Versus Host Disease

Abstract

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation stands as a promising cure for a variety of diseases. However, the potential of acute or chronic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), which leads to significant morbidity and mortality, remains a cause for concern. GvHD occurs due to the complex interactions of immune cells from the graft and the host cells. Despite the existence of prophylactic treatments, GvHD may still occur, and the resistance to conventional therapies necessitates novel approaches and treatments. Mesenchymal stem cells, which are pluripotent stem cells capable of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation, have gained attention for their low immunogenicity and ability to be sourced from various origins. They have shown promise as therapeutic tools for the cell-based treatment of inflammatory, immune-mediated, and degenerative diseases owing to their remarkable abilities in immunomodulation, immunosuppression, and tissue regeneration. In GvHD, MSCs have demonstrated therapeutic potential through paracrine activity and organelle transfer via nanotubes, microvesicles, or exosomes. The emergence of MSCs as a treatment for severe steroid-resistant GvHD gained attention in the early 2000s. While initial studies have demonstrated encouraging results in the use of MSCs for the prevention of GvHD, there is still a need for further investigation. Therefore, in this current review, we aim to delve deeper into MSC’s features and their clinical applications in the case of GvHD treatment.