title: Mesenchymal stromal cells to prevent fibrosis in kidney transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Kidney transplantation has improved the life expectancy and quality of life for patients with end-stage renal failure. However, despite the impressive improvements in short-term outcome parameters because of better and more potent immunosuppressive drugs, the long-term survival of renal allografts has changed little over the last decades. Sustained inflammation in the areas of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IFTA) is a strong predictor of allograft failure. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have potent anti-inflammatory and reparative properties, and could thus play a role in controlling these processes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Local resident MSCs and exogenous MSCs have been implicated in the repair of the injured kidney, mostly by their paracrine functions. In the experimental models and clinical trials, first results with MSCs for the treatment of inflammation and IFTA suggest beneficial effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endogenously and exogenously administered MSCs might enhance the intrinsic reparative capabilities of the kidney in transplant recipients and maybe developed as a tool to control both inflammation and fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: aDepartment of Nephrology bEinthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marlies E J
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Reinders
authors.forename: Johan W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: de Fijter
authors.forename: Ton J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Rabelink
mesh_terms: D005355:Fibrosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*