The immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells.

Research on mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) has evolved rapidly during the last decade prompted by their potential use for tissue repair and immunotherapy. Not only can MSC differentiate into cells of the mesodermal lineage, but they also exhibit immunomodulatory functions depending on their interaction with cells of both innate and adaptive immune systems. Most aspects of MSC biology remain to be elucidated. It is emerging even more clearly that these cells are not always a panacea. Only the knowledge of their physiological role and their interactions with other cells will allow us to use them as a therapeutic tool.