Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells for autoimmune diseases: teaching new dogs old tricks

MSCs, otherwise known as multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells, are being examined for the treatment of autoimmune disease (AD) on the basis of their in vitro antiproliferative properties, efficacy in animal models, apparent low acute toxicity and the early positive anecdotal outcomes in human acute GVHD. Phase I/II clinical trials are underway in Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis (MS) and are being planned for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), systemic vasculitis and other AD. Open issues include patient selection, disease stage and activity, MSC source and expansion and long-term safety. Multidisciplinary groups are collaborating to ensure maximal use of available resources to establish the place, if any, of MSC in the treatment of AD.