Open AccessRationale for Determining the Functional Potency of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Preventing Regulated Cell Death for Therapeutic Use
Author(s) -
Naji Abderrahim,
Suganuma Narufumi,
Espagnolle Nicolas,
Yagyu Kenichi,
Baba Nobuyasu,
Sensebé Luc,
Deschaseaux Frédéric
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
stem cells translational medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.781
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 2157-6580
pISSN - 2157-6564
DOI - 10.5966/sctm.2016-0289
Subject(s) - mesenchymal stem cell , pyroptosis , necroptosis , immune system , programmed cell death , inflammation , cell therapy , stem cell , stromal cell , medicine , stem cell therapy , immunology , cancer research , apoptosis , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , inflammasome , biochemistry
Summary Mesenchymal stem (stromal) cells (MSCs) are being investigated for treating degenerative and inflammatory disorders because of their reparative and immunomodulatory properties. Intricate mechanisms relate cell death processes with immune responses, which have implications for degenerative and inflammatory conditions. We review the therapeutic value of MSCs in terms of preventing regulated cell death (RCD). When cells identify an insult, specific intracellular pathways are elicited for execution of RCD processes, such as apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis. To some extent, exacerbated RCD can provoke an intense inflammatory response and vice versa. Emerging studies are focusing on the molecular mechanisms deployed by MSCs to ameliorate the survival, bioenergetics, and functions of unfit immune or nonimmune cells. Given these aspects, and in light of MSC actions in modulating cell death processes, we suggest the use of novel functional in vitro assays to ensure the potency of MSCs for preventing RCD. Such analyses should be associated with existing functional assays measuring the anti‐inflammatory capabilities of MSCs in vitro. MSCs selected on the basis of two in vitro functional criteria (i.e., prevention of inflammation and RCD) could possess optimal therapeutic efficacy in vivo. In addition, we underline the implications of these perspectives in clinical studies of MSC therapy, with particular focus on acute respiratory distress syndrome. S tem C ells T ranslational M edicine 2017;6:713–719