Interplay between mesenchymal stromal cells and the immune system after transplantation: implications for advanced cell therapy in the retina

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Advanced mesenchymal stromal cell-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases are widely investigated in preclinical models. Mesenchymal stromal cells are well positioned as therapeutics because they address the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration, namely trophic factor deprivation and neuroinflammation. Most studies have focused on the beneficial effects of mesenchymal stromal cell transplantation on neuronal survival or functional improvement. However, little attention has been paid to the interaction between mesenchymal stromal cells and the host immune system due to the immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stromal cells and the long-held belief of the immunoprivileged status of the central nervous system. Here, we review the crosstalk between mesenchymal stromal cells and the immune system in general and in the context of the central nervous system, focusing on recent work in the retina and the importance of the type of transplantation.

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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