New concepts on the immune modulation mediated by mesenchymal stem cells

Bruce A. Bunnell, Aline M. Betancourt, Deborah E. Sullivan

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

108 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the nonhematopoietic multipotent progenitor cells found in various adult tissues. They are characterized by their ease of isolation and their rapid growth in vitro while maintaining their differentiation potential, allowing for extensive expansion in culture that yields large quantities suitable for therapeutic use. This article reviews the immunomodulatory activities associated with MSCs. Numerous studies have demonstrated that MSCs are potently immunosuppressive in vitro and in vivo. However, this article presents a new paradigm in MSC biology, in which MSCs, at least in vitro, can undergo polarization into either a pro-inflammatory or an immunosuppressive phenotype.

Original languageEnglish
Article number34
JournalStem Cell Research and Therapy
Volume1
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'New concepts on the immune modulation mediated by mesenchymal stem cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this