Mesenchymal stromal cells to modulate immune reconstitution early post-hematopoietic cell transplantation.
Elizabeth O Stenger, Lakshmanan Krishnamurti, Jacques Galipeau
Author Information
Elizabeth O Stenger: Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University, 1405 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA. elizabeth.stenger@choa.org.
Lakshmanan Krishnamurti: Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University, 1405 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA. lakshmanan.krishnamurti@choa.org.
Jacques Galipeau: Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University, 1405 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA. jgalipe@emory.edu.
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent progenitor cells known to modulate the immune system and to promote hematopoiesis. These dual effects make MSCs attractive for use as cellular therapy in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). MSCs can be used peri-HCT or pre-engraftment to modulate immune reconstitution, promoting hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) engraftment and/or preventing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that MSCs can potentiate HSC engraftment and prevent GVHD in a variety of animal models. Clinical trials have been small and largely non-randomized but have established safety and early evidence of efficacy, supporting the need for larger randomized trials.
References
Bone Marrow Transplant. 2009 Mar;43(6):447-54
[PMID: 18955980]