Mesenchymal stromal (stem) cells to improve solid organ transplant outcome: lessons from the initial clinical trials.
OBJECTIVE
Discuss the recent progress on the clinical use of mesenchymal stromal (stem) cells (MSC) in solid organ transplantation (SOT).


RESULTS
Tissue repair and immunomodulatory properties have been recognized for MSC obtained from different human tissues. MSC-based therapy has been proposed to reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury and to promote immune tolerance. The results of recent clinical trial support the safety and promising effects of autologous and allogeneic MSC in SOT. Collectively, the use of MSC in recipients of living donor kidney transplantation was associated with improved graft function, reduced rejection, ability to omit induction and/or lower maintenance immunosuppression regimen, as well as to treat rejection episodes.


CONCLUSIONS
We are living in very exciting times with the implementation of novel clinical trials aimed at establishing safety, feasibility and efficacy of cellular therapies including MSC to improve SOT outcomes. The results of the initial clinical trials support the safety of MSC-based therapy and justifying cautious optimism for the immediate future.
aCell Transplant Center, Diabetes Research Institute bThe DeWitt-Daughtry Family Department of Surgery cDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Miller School of Medicine dDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA eCell and Stem Cell Institute of Xiamen University fFuzhou General Hospital of Xiamen University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China gDepartment of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA.
Antonello
A
Pileggi
Xiumin
X
Xu
Jianming
J
Tan
Camillo
C
Ricordi
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000276:immunology