title: Cellular and molecular interactions of mesenchymal stem cells in innate immunity.
abstract: In recent years, human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) have attracted major attention for their possible clinical applications. In addition to their tissue regenerative capacity, they display immune-modulatory properties for which they have been used in the treatment of acute graft-versus-host disease and autoimmune diseases. Various studies have analyzed the inhibitory effect exerted by MSC on cells belonging to acquired or to innate immunity. In this context, MSC have been shown to inhibit proliferation and function of natural killer (NK) cells and to hinder the generation of dendritic cells and macrophages, thus interfering with inflammatory processes and with the generation of type I immune responses. In addition, MSC promote the differentiation of regulatory cells and participate in the regeneration of tissues damaged as a consequence of the inflammatory process. Different molecular mechanisms are involved in the immunosuppressive effect. Further investigation on the biology of MSC and on the regulatory events involved in their functional activities can help to optimize their use in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Dipartmento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Grazia Maria
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Spaggiari
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moretta
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000276:immunology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000379:methods