Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Transplant Tolerance.

Manuel Alfredo Podestà,Federica Casiraghi,Giuseppe Remuzzi

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.01287

Abstract

In solid organ transplantation lifelong immunosuppression exposes transplant recipients to life-threatening complications, such as infections and malignancies, and to severe side effects. Cellular therapy with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) has recently emerged as a promising strategy to regulate anti-donor immune responses, allowing immunosuppressive drug minimization and tolerance induction. In this review we summarize preclinical data on MSC in solid organ transplant models, focusing on potential mechanisms of action of MSC, including down-regulation of effector T-cell response and activation of regulatory pathways. We will also provide an overview of available data on safety and feasibility of MSC therapy in solid organ transplant patients, highlighting the issues that still need to be addressed before establishing MSC as a safe and effective tolerogenic cell therapy in transplantation.

Highlights

Specialty section: This article was submitted to Alloimmunity and Transplantation, a section of the journal Frontiers in Immunology
mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) can be obtained from several adult and fetal tissues [5,6,7,8,9], the bone marrow has been traditionally considered as their main source, and bone marrow-derived MSC are the ones best characterized both in humans and animal models
To date, there is a lack of studies exploring MSC effect on the B-cell compartment in animal models of solid organ transplantation, MSC infusion prevented the formation of circulating donor-specific antibodies in rats undergoing allogeneic kidney transplantation, suggesting that these cells are able to modulate humoral responses in vivo [42]

Summary

Introduction

Specialty section: This article was submitted to Alloimmunity and Transplantation, a section of the journal Frontiers in Immunology. To date, there is a lack of studies exploring MSC effect on the B-cell compartment in animal models of solid organ transplantation, MSC infusion prevented the formation of circulating donor-specific antibodies in rats undergoing allogeneic kidney transplantation, suggesting that these cells are able to modulate humoral responses in vivo [42].

Results

Conclusion