Mesenchymal stem cell therapy and acute graft-versus-host disease: a review

Hum Cell. 2014 Oct;27(4):137-50. doi: 10.1007/s13577-014-0095-x. Epub 2014 Jun 6.

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being widely studied as potential cell therapy agents due to their immunomodulatory properties, which have been established by in vitro studies and in several clinical trials. Within this context, mesenchymal stem cell therapy appears to hold substantial promise, particularly in the treatment of conditions involving autoimmune and inflammatory components. Nevertheless, many research findings are still contradictory, mostly due to difficulties in characterization of the effects of MSCs in vivo. The purpose of this review is to report the mechanisms underlying mesenchymal stem cell therapy for acute graft-versus-host disease, particularly with respect to immunomodulation, migration, and homing, as well as report clinical applications described in the literature.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Animals
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Graft vs Host Disease / immunology*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / prevention & control
  • Graft vs Host Disease / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immunomodulation
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / immunology*