Mesenchymal stromal cells suppress synovial fluid-derived t cells from juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients in vitro

Abstract

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are multipotent cells with an immunosuppressive capacity. In the last decade the feasibility and safety of MSC therapy has been established in various inflammatory diseases, including graft versus host disease. MSC are known to suppress T cell function and modulate T helper 17 (Th17) cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs), which play an important role in the pathogenesis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). MSC may therefore serve as a new treatment option for JIA patients refractory to conventional therapies. However, it is unknown whether MSC are capable of suppressing the highly inflammatory synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMC), which have been shown to be resistant to suppression by Tregs. Furthermore, the effect of the inflammatory environment on MSC function is largely unknown, though it has been suggested that proinflammatory cytokines can enhance the suppressive potential of MSC.