The New Era of Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cell Functional Application: State of the Art, Therapeutic Challenges and Future Directions

Dear Colleagues,

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) hold great promise in the field of immunotherapy and regenerative medicine. Indeed, a significant amount of experimental evidence supports the notion that MSCs i) can finely regulate both innate and adaptive immune response and ii) may show the property to differentiate into both mature mesodermal and ectodermal cells. However, some conflicting results have been reported on the molecular mechanisms responsible for their immunosuppressive and totipotential properties of differentiation. The specific identification of phenotypic and functional behavior of these cells will further trigger their clinical use for a variety of autoimmune and degenerative diseases. As part of their molecular mechanisms of action, MSCs produce extracellular matrix protein and closely interact with the tissue environment, displaying a combination of trophic and immunomodulatory actions. These therapeutic effects are likely governed by cell-to cell contact, paracrine pathways, including a role for extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their functional plasticity which means they can adapt their behavior in the face of tissue challenges. MSCs can also be present within the tumor microenvironment and influence tumor cell growth and tumor immune response, as well as the therapeutic effect of anti-blastic drugs and immune-checkpoint blockers. 

It is time to bridge MSCs from the bench and clinical applications by translating basic science into medical programs. The great contribution of colleagues involved in the field will significantly enrich the debate and open up new horizons for the use of MSCs. Accordingly, a better knowledge and characterization of the biological and immunological characteristics of MSCs will increase the safety and efficiency of their clinical application.

Prof. Dr. Alessandro Poggi
Dr. Mehdi Najar
Collection Editors

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