title: Mesenchymal stromal cells and rheumatic diseases: new tools from pathogenesis to regenerative therapies.
abstract: In recent years, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been largely investigated and tested as a new therapeutic tool for several clinical applications, including the treatment of different rheumatic diseases. MSCs are responsible for the normal turnover and maintenance of adult mesenchymal tissues as the result of their multipotent differentiation abilities and their secretion of a variety of cytokines and growth factors. Although initially derived from bone marrow, MSCs are present in many different tissues such as many peri-articular tissues. MSCs may exert immune-modulatory properties, modulating different immune cells in both in vitro and in vivo models, and they are considered immune-privileged cells. At present, these capacities are considered the most intriguing aspect of their biology, introducing the possibility that these cells may be used as effective therapy in autoimmune diseases. Therefore, stem cell therapies may represent an innovative approach for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, especially for the forms that are not responsive to standard treatments or alternatively still lacking a definite therapy. At present, although the data from scientific literature appear to suggest that such treatments might be more effective whether administered as soon as possible, the use of MSCs in clinical practice is likely to be restricted to patients with a long history of a severe refractory disease. Further results from larger clinical trials are needed to corroborate preclinical findings and human non-controlled studies, and advancement in the knowledge of MSCs might provide information about the therapeutic role of these cells in the treatment of many rheumatic diseases.
authors: Rheumatology Unit, Clinical Science and Biotechnology Department, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy. Electronic address: paola.cipriani@cc.univaq.it.
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Cipriani
authors: Rheumatology Unit, Clinical Science and Biotechnology Department, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Piero
authors: P
authors: Ruscitti
authors: Rheumatology Unit, Clinical Science and Biotechnology Department, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Di Benedetto
authors: Rheumatology Unit, Clinical Science and Biotechnology Department, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Carubbi
authors: Rheumatology Unit, Clinical Science and Biotechnology Department, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Vasiliki
authors: V
authors: Liakouli
authors: Rheumatology Unit, Clinical Science and Biotechnology Department, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Onorina
authors: O
authors: Berardicurti
authors: Rheumatology Unit, Internal Medicine Department, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Ciccia
authors: Rheumatology Unit, Internal Medicine Department, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Triolo
authors: Rheumatology Unit, Clinical Science and Biotechnology Department, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Giacomelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001853:Bone Marrow; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology; D044968:Regenerative Medicine; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: mesenchymal stromal cells; pathogenesis; regenerative therapy; rheumatic disease