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Updated: May 28, 2026

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Regulation of Macrophage Phagocytosis; Quantitation and Imaging
09:10

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Regulation of Macrophage Phagocytosis; Quantitation and Imaging

Published on: July 16, 2021

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs): role as guardians of inflammation

Darwin J Prockop1, Joo Youn Oh

  • 1Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine at Scott & White, Temple, Texas 76502, USA. Prockop@medicine.tamhsc.edu

Molecular Therapy : the Journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy
|October 20, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) act as inflammation guardians by releasing anti-inflammatory proteins like TSG-6 and PGE2. These molecules modulate macrophage signaling, reducing excessive inflammatory responses and promoting healing.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Regenerative Medicine

Background:

  • Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) play a crucial role in modulating immune responses.
  • Excessive inflammation contributes to various pathologies.
  • Understanding MSCs' anti-inflammatory mechanisms is key for therapeutic development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the multifaceted anti-inflammatory functions of MSCs.
  • To identify key molecular mediators involved in MSC-driven immune suppression.
  • To explore MSCs' role in regulating macrophage polarization and signaling pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent observations on MSC-mediated immune modulation.
  • Analysis of molecular pathways including IL-1 receptor antagonist, TSG-6, and PGE2 secretion.
  • Investigation of feedback loops involving TNF-α, NF-κB, and macrophage phenotypes.

Main Results:

  • MSCs express IL-1 receptor antagonist to counteract inflammation.
  • MSCs secrete TNF-α stimulated gene/protein 6 (TSG-6) in response to inflammatory cytokines, which inhibits NF-κB signaling in macrophages.
  • MSCs produce prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) that polarizes macrophages towards an IL-10 secreting phenotype.

Conclusions:

  • MSCs employ multiple strategies to suppress excessive inflammation.
  • TSG-6 and PGE2 are critical mediators of MSC anti-inflammatory effects.
  • MSCs represent a promising therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases.

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