Cell Death & Disease, 2021 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-021-03644-5 · Published: April 29, 2021
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used in clinical trials because they can differentiate into various cell types, secrete regenerative factors, and modulate immune functions. This study found that MSCs from different donors vary in their ability to proliferate and modulate the immune system, which may explain inconsistent clinical results. The study identified that IFN-γ and NF-κB signaling pathways are linked to the immune modulatory function of MSCs. Activating these pathways with IFN-γ and TNF-α can eliminate donor-dependent variations. Pre-selecting or pre-treating MSCs to remove variations in a way specific to the disease being treated is necessary to ensure the best clinical results. This study offers new insights for controlling the quality of MSCs from different donors when treating inflammation or autoimmune diseases.
Highlights the importance of quality control in MSC-based therapies, suggesting that not all MSCs are equal and preselection is key to effective clinical outcomes.
Emphasizes the need for disease-treatment-specific assays to address donor-dependent variations and tailor MSC normalization methods for different clinical applications.
Suggests pretreatment with inflammatory factors like IFN-γ and TNF-α to enhance the immunomodulatory function of MSCs and eradicate donor-dependent variations, while acknowledging potential impacts on cell proliferation.