title: Mesenchymal stem cells as immunomodulators in a vascularized composite allotransplantation.
abstract: Vascularized composite allotransplantations (VCAs) are not routinely performed for tissue reconstruction because of the potentially harmful adverse effects associated with lifelong administration of immunosuppressive agents. Researchers have been eagerly seeking alternative methods that circumvent the long-term use of immunosuppressants. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show promise as an immunomodulatory therapeutic agent and are currently being tested in preclinical and clinical settings as therapies for autoimmune disorders or transplant rejection. The mechanisms by which MSCs modulate the immune response are still under thorough investigation, but these most likely involve expression of local factors influencing T-cell regulation, modulation of cytokine expression (e.g., IL-10, TGF-β, TNF-α, INF-γ, etc.), and interactions with dendritic or antigen presenting cells. In this paper, we summarize the current understanding of immunomodulation achieved by MSC therapies and introduce a possible outline for future clinical applications in VCA.
authors.affiliation: Center for Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan. t1207816@ms22.hinet.net
authors.forename: Yur-Ren
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Chien-Chang
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shigeru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.forename: Pao-Yuan
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Fu-Chan
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Chao-Long
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000276:immunology*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D023001:Transplantation Tolerance / Q000276:immunology*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents