Immunomodulatory properties of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

ABSTRACT

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are multipotent progenitor cells of mesodermal originpossessing multilineage differentiation potential and ease of expansion in vitro. Over the years, these cells havegained attention owing to their potential in cell-based therapies in treating various diseases. In particular, thewide spectrum of immunoregulatory/immunomodulatory role of MSCs in various clinical conditions hasgained immense attention. The immunomodulatory properties of BM-MSCs are mediated by either cell–cellcontact (interactions with various immune cells in a context-dependent manner), paracrine mode of action orextracellular vesicles, making them a potential option as immunosuppressants/immunomodulators in treatingvarious clinical conditions. A plethora of studies have demonstrated that MSCs do so by exhibiting a profoundeffect on various immune cells for example they can inhibit the proliferation of T cells, B cells, and naturalkiller cells; modulate the activities of dendritic cells and induce regulatory T cells both in vitro and in vivo. Inthis review we aim at briefly elucidating the characteristics of BM-MSCs, specifically addressing the currentunderstanding on the hypoimmunogeneticity and immunomodulatory properties of the same with specificreference to their interactions with B cells, T cells, Dendritic cells and natural killer cells. We also aim atreviewing the secretory profile and their role in some clinical conditions that have shown promising outcomes.