Mesenchimal stem cells: a possible role in the pathogenesis and treatment of spondyloarthritis

Spondyloarthritis (SpAs) are a group of chronic inflammatory diseases that affect joints and enthesis with a possible involvement of other districts such as skin, eye and bowel. In SpAs, the inflammatory process could lead to both erosive damage (as in peripheral joint involvement of psoriatic arthritis), or bone formation (as in ankylosing spondylitis) with a reduction in function and quality of life. Recently, Mesenchimal stem cells (MSCs) transplant was used in different diseases, including autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, with the aim of repairing tissue damage, exploiting their regenerative capacity. However, MSCs also proved to have an immune-modulatory capacity due to their interaction with the cells of the immune system. The aim of this brief paper was to review the possible pathogenic role and the new perspective of MSCs use in SpAs.