©The Author(s) 2016. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Stem Cells. Sep 26, 2016; 8(9): 268-278
Published online Sep 26, 2016. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v8.i9.268
Published online Sep 26, 2016. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v8.i9.268
Immunomodulation by mesenchymal stem cells: Interplay between mesenchymal stem cells and regulatory lymphocytes
Oscar Ka-Fai Ma, Koon Ho Chan, Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Author contributions: Ma OKF and Chan KH have been involved equally and have read and approved the final manuscript.
Supported by Matching Fund from Stanley Ho Alumni Challenge for Translational Research in Neuroinflammation, No. 20830036.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The author, Oscar Ka-Fai Ma, certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest. Another author, Dr. Koon Ho Chan, has received research-funding support from Merck Pharmaceutical Ltd, Novartis Pharmaceutical Ltd, Bayer HealthCare Ltd, and has received honorarium for invited lectures from Biogen Idec and UCH Pharma Ltd.
Correspondence to: Dr. Koon Ho Chan, Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, 4/F Professorial Block, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China. koonho@hkucc.hku.hk
Telephone: +852-22553315 Fax: +852-29741171
Received: April 28, 2016
Peer-review started: April 29, 2016
First decision: June 16, 2016
Revised: July 15, 2016
Accepted: July 29, 2016
Article in press: July 31, 2016
Published online: September 26, 2016
Processing time: 143 Days and 21.7 Hours
Peer-review started: April 29, 2016
First decision: June 16, 2016
Revised: July 15, 2016
Accepted: July 29, 2016
Article in press: July 31, 2016
Published online: September 26, 2016
Processing time: 143 Days and 21.7 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: In this review, we summarized the mechanisms involved in regulatory T (Treg) and B (Breg) cell induction by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In an inflammatory environment, MSCs secrete various anti-inflammatory cytokines, actively interact with immune cells and modulate them to acquire regulatory properties, thus, generate a tolerogenic environment. Particularly, by inducing Treg and Breg cells, the immunomodulation of MSCs is amplified. Therefore, genetic engineered MSCs to enhance their ability to induce Treg and Breg cells may increase their therapeutic efficacy.