Editorial: IL-2/IL-2R axis modulation by mesenchymal stromal cells: interaction with immunosuppressive drugs?

Abstract

In this issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, Erkers and colleagues offer new insights into the immune suppressive properties of placenta-derived decidual stromal cells [1]. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a cell population which was first identified in bone marrow (BM-MSCs) and contains a significant number of stem cells with ability to differentiate into different tissues. It was soon noted that MSCs display, not only regenerative properties, but also immunomodulatory features which could be exploited for therapy in different immune disorders. In addition, these cells are considered to be relatively immune privileged and their use as therapy has been shown to be safe in several animal models and clinical trials. In recent years, therefore, MSCs have come to be regarded as a potential therapeutic choice for several pathologies, whether hematologic, neurologic or cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, diseases of the lung, liver and kidney, steroid-resistant graft versus host disease (GVHD), and cancer, or autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, reviewed in [2]. The tissue most extensively used as an MSC source is bone marrow, inasmuch as it was the first to be reported as a supplier of these multipotent cells. However, several other tissues have been shown to be suitable sources of MSCs, including adipose tissue, synovial membranes, umbilical cord, endometrium, and placenta. Among these, human decidua is a promising candidate as a source of MSCs for use in cell-based therapies, thanks to easy cell isolation without the need for any invasive methods and high cell proliferation rates in vitro. Decidua-derived MSCs obtained in different laboratories seem to have different differentiation potential yet similar immunomodulating activity. Macias et al. [3] isolated multipotent decidua-derived MSCs from decidua parietalis, denoted by the authors as DMSCs. DMSCs are able to differentiate into derivatives of all germ layers, and their immunomodulatory properties have been demonstrated in an animal model of multiple sclerosis [4]. Erkers et al. described another cell population from decidua parietalis, called decidual stromal cells (DSCs), with more limited differentiation potential but with effective capability to suppress alloreactivity of T lymphocytes.