Systemic infusion of mesenchymal stem cells improves cell-based bone regeneration via upregulation of regulatory T cells

Tissue Eng Part A. 2015 Feb;21(3-4):498-509. doi: 10.1089/ten.TEA.2013.0673. Epub 2015 Jan 19.

Abstract

Mesenchymal-stem-cell-based regenerative medicine is a promising approach for functional tissue reconstruction. A recent study showed that host immune cells regulated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMMSC)-mediated tissue regeneration. However, it is unknown whether systemic infusion of BMMSCs, which induces immune tolerance, affects cell-based tissue regeneration. In this study, we showed that BMMSCs possessed an immunomodulatory function in vitro. Moreover, systemic infusion of BMMSCs reduced IFN-γ and TNF-α levels in the implantation sites via upregulation of regulatory T cells (Tregs), resulting in marked enhancement of cell-based bone regeneration, but with only limited contribution by BMMSC homing. Further, we showed that systemic BMMSC infusion significantly improved cell-based repair of critical-sized calvarial defects in a murine model. These results suggested a new approach to enhance cell-based bone regeneration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Regeneration / immunology*
  • Cell Communication / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Female
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / methods*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*