Advances in mesenchymal stem cell therapy for lupus nephritis

Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most common and serious complications of systemic lupus erythematosus, which can lead to end-stage renal disease, and is an important cause of death in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Treatment options include glucocorticoids, immunosuppressive agents and the addition of biologics. Recently, the therapeutic role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in LN has received extensive attention worldwide. MSCs can suppress autoimmunity, alleviate proteinuria and restore renal function by modulating the functions of various immune cells and reducing the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. Several clinical trials have investigated MSC treatment in LN with promising but sometimes inconsistent outcomes. This review summarizes the sources of MSCs and mechanisms in immunoregulation. Furthermore, it examines clinical trials evaluating the efficacy, safety, and limitations of MSC therapy in LN. By highlighting advances and ongoing challenges, this review underscores the potential of MSCs for LN treatment. More large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to support the effectiveness of this therapy and pave the way for personalized and combinatorial therapeutic approaches.