Introduction: Studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) modulate the immune system. They can also repair damaged tissue. Damaged or inflamed tissue releases chemokines that attract MSCs to the tissue. They move by rolling on the endothelium deliver themselves to the damaged or inflamed tissue, and perform an anti-inflammatory or repair effect. These characteristics of MSCs have led researchers to investigate these cells as treatment options in severe auto-inflammatory and autoimmune patients. Therefore, we decided to investigate the biological mechanisms of MSCs in autoimmune and inflammatory patients.
Methods: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), one of the most widespread cells in the human body, were first discovered in 1976 (1). In general, MSCs are known as pluripotent stem cells that can differentiate into adipocytes, chondrocytes, osteocytes, and other lineages (2). Also, they can adhere to plastic containers and multiply in laboratory conditions. These cells express CD73, CD90, and CD105 on their surface, but lack CD14, CD45, CD19, and HLA-DR. Recent studies have shown that MSCs can inhibit the activity of T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, and NK cells through direct cell-to-cell interactions. They can also modulate the immune system through the secretion of soluble factors including indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) (3).
The function of the immune system is to protect the host against infectious agents and transformed cells. Autoimmune diseases occur due to the inability of the immune system to distinguish between self and non-self cells. It has been shown that 3 to 5 percent of the population is involved in autoimmune diseases (4).
Inflammation may occur as a result of the immune system's response to injury or infection. In the past decades, the prevalence of diseases related to chronic inflammation is increasing. The protective role of inflammation causes disease when it occurs excessively and chronically (5).
Results: Review
Conclusion: MSCs, in addition to healing damaged tissues, have a unique ability to modulate the body's immune system to turn off pathological responses and maintain its ability to fight disease. MSCs settle in the inflamed tissue and lead to the production of anti-inflammatory agents. These mediators act locally and do not suppress the immune response of the patient's whole body. MSCs can generally restore tissue and modulate the immune system through direct contact with the cell or exosome secretions. These characteristics of MSCs have made these cells a new candidate for potential clinical application in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.