Mesenchymal stem cells in osteoarticular diseases: an update

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are mainly isolated from bone marrow or fat tissue. Because of their potential of multilineage differentiation towards bone, cartilage and fat tissue, they were initially evaluated to develop innovative strategies for tissue engineering applications. More recently, they have gained interest based on their immunomodulatory properties and have been tested in various clinical trials aiming at modulating the host immune response in graft-versus-host disease or autoimmune diseases. MSC-mediated immunomodulation occurs through the secretion of soluble mediators. The clinical applications of MSCs for rheumatic diseases are focusing on their potential to help tissue repair/regeneration and to prevent inflammation. The aim of the present review is to focus on the mechanisms by which MSCs might exhibit a therapeutic potential in rheumatology and present an update on the mechanisms involved in the therapeutic effect of MSCs. Special attention is given to their possible modulation for future innovative strategies.