title: Immunomodulatory effects of mesenchymal stromal cells in solid organ transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) possess powerful immunomodulatory activity highlighting the potential for their clinical translation in solid organ transplantation. In this review, we summarize recent advances in understanding MSC immunomodulatory effect in vitro and in experimental transplant models and discuss topics of crucial importance for the future clinical use of MSCs as immunotherapy in solid organ transplantation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MSCs strongly inhibited T-cell activity in vitro and exerted similar inhibitory effects on other cells of the immune system. MSC-mediated immune suppression has been attributed mainly to the secretion of soluble factors; however, cell-contact mechanisms cannot be excluded. Available studies in animal transplant models raised variable results, but overall indicate that MSCs could be useful to modulate recipient immune cells. The timing of cell application and the origin of MSCs (autologous or allogeneic) seem to be the most crucial factors impacting the in-vivo efficacy of MSCs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory effects of MSCs in vitro and in vivo is needed to define the optimal condition for the use of MSCs as immunotherapy in solid organ transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Transplant Research Center 'Chiara Cucchi de Alessandri e Gilberto Crespi', Department of Immunology and Organ Transplantation, Ospedali Riuniti-Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Bergamo, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Casiraghi
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noris
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Remuzzi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D016377:Organ Transplantation
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents