Multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a heterogeneous population of cells which reside
in a variety of tissues. They differentiate into several mesodermal lineages secrete a
multitude of trophic factors and contribute to tissue homeostasis. MSCs are able to exert
immunosuppressive activities by interfering with inflammatory cytokine production and with T-
and B-cell proliferation. These immunomodulating properties make MSCs promising candidates for
the treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. There are however certain
caveats involved including inappropriate migration of cells in the body immune rejection
tumor formation or graft versus host disease (GvHD). This book investigates the current state
of the MSC-dependent therapy of chronic inflammatory disorders and autoimmune diseases. Among
the covered topics are GvHD chronic kidney liver and lung disease ischemic heart and
inflammatory bowel disease diabetes osteoarthritis various rheumatic and neurological
disorders and lastly tumors and solid organ transplantations. This book also questions the
immunoprivileged status of MSCs discusses the therapeutic role of MSCs in experimental animal
disease models and their translation to the corresponding human disorders envisions a role for
MSCs in tumor interventions and lastly describes a systems biology approach for stem cells
and inflammation.
