Mesenchymal stromal cells and chronic inflammatory bowel disease

M Algeri; A Conforti; A Pitisci; N Starc; L Tomao; M E Bernardo; F Locatelli

doi:10.1016/j.imlet.2015.06.018

Mesenchymal stromal cells and chronic inflammatory bowel disease

Immunol Lett. 2015 Dec;168(2):191-200. doi: 10.1016/j.imlet.2015.06.018. Epub 2015 Jul 10.

Authors

M Algeri¹, A Conforti¹, A Pitisci¹, N Starc², L Tomao¹, M E Bernardo¹, F Locatelli³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, IRCCS, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
² Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, IRCCS, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy; Department of System Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
³ Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, IRCCS, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy; Department of Pediatrics, University of Pavia, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 26170204
DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2015.06.018

Abstract

Recent experimental findings have shown the ability of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to home to damaged tissues and to produce paracrine factors with anti-inflammatory properties, potentially resulting in reduction of inflammation and functional recovery of the damaged tissues. Prompted by these intriguing properties and on the basis of encouraging preclinical data, MSCs are currently being studied in several immune-mediated disorders. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) represent a setting in which MSCs-based therapy has been extensively investigated. Phase I and II studies have documented the safety and feasibility of MSCs. However, efficacy results have so far been conflicting. In this review, we will discuss the biologic rationale that makes MSCs a promising therapeutic tool for IBD, and analyze recent experimental and clinical findings, highlighting current limitations and future perspectives of MSCs-related immunotherapy for IBD.

Keywords: Cell therapy; Crohn's disease; Inflammatory bowel disease; Mesenchymal stromal cells; Regenerative medicine; Translational research; Ulcerative colitis.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Adaptive Immunity / immunology
Animals
Cell Movement / immunology*
Clinical Trials as Topic
Humans
Immunity, Innate / immunology
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / immunology
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / therapy*
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / methods*
Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology
Mesenchymal Stem Cells / immunology*
Treatment Outcome