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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Assessment of the Immunomodulatory Properties of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)
Published on: December 24, 2015
In vitro comparison of immunological properties of cultured human mesenchymal cells from various sources
Yu G Suzdaltseva1, V V Burunova, I V Vakhrushev
1Russian State Medical University. medcellbox@mail.ru
Insights
Mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow, umbilical cord, and skin fibroblasts show tolerance to immune cells. These mesenchymal cells do not harm or activate immune cells in vitro, indicating immune privilege.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are investigated for their immunomodulatory properties.
- Understanding the interaction between MSCs and immune cells is crucial for therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro interaction between mesenchymal cells of various origins and peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
- To determine the potential for cell-mediated cytotoxicity and immune activation.
Main Methods:
- Co-culture of mesenchymal stem cells (bone marrow, umbilical cord, skin fibroblasts) with allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
- Assessment of cell lysis by natural killer cells and cytotoxic lymphocytes.
- Evaluation of cytotoxic effects on peripheral blood mononuclear cells and lymphocyte proliferation (T cells, B cells, NK cells, CD14+ cells).
Main Results:
- Mesenchymal cells, regardless of origin, were not lysed by allogeneic natural killer cells or cytotoxic lymphocytes.
- Mesenchymal cells did not exhibit cytotoxic effects on peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
- No proliferation of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, natural killer cells, or CD14+ lymphocytes was observed in mixed cultures.
Conclusions:
- Mesenchymal cells of different origins demonstrate mutual tolerance with allogeneic immunocompetent cells in vitro.
- Mesenchymal cells possess inherent immune-evasive properties, suggesting potential for immunomodulatory therapies.
Abstract:
Cell-mediated cytotoxicity was studied in vitro during the interaction of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, fibroblast-like cells from newborn umbilical cord, and skin fibroblasts of an adult donor with peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Independently on the origin, mesenchymal cells were not lysed with allogeneic natural killer cells and cytotoxic lymphocytes. Mixed cultures of mesenchymal cells had no cytotoxic effect on peripheral blood mononuclear cells and did not activate proliferation of T and B lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and CD14+ lymphocytes. In vitro experiments showed that mesenchymal cells of different origin and allogeneic immunocompetent cells are tolerant to each other.
